Barnes receives United Way's top award
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on February 27, 2005 2:07 AM
Donnie Barnes received the Emil Rosenthal Award Friday at the United Way of Wayne County's annual meeting. The award is United Way's most prestigious award.
Presenting the plaque was last year's award winner, Don Magoon. He said Barnes joined United Way four years ago as a volunteer and has served on the board of directors in a variety of capacities. He was chairman of the annual Taste of Wayne County. He was also the 2004 campaign chairman.
Magoon said Barnes has a special interest in the welfare of children. He is vice chairman of the Boys and Girls Club of Wayne County and is active at St. Stephen's Church.
Barnes thanked everyone who helped with last year's campaign.
"It really does take a village to help," he said. "And I have gotten more out of United Way than I have given."
Chuck Waller, director of the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross, was guest speaker at the event.
"The people I wanted to be like early on were people who could throw a baseball," he said. "Then when I got married and had kids, I wanted to be like the people who earned a lot of money. As I turned 40 and became a little wiser, I liked to see people who are kind, people of compassion, people of benevolence.
"It took all these virtues to make this campaign what it was. It's been said that you make a living of what you get. You make a life of what you give."
Waller said it took everyone who wrote a check to make the campaign successful. It took all those behind the scene. It took all those volunteers who went out at 5 and 6 a.m. to spread the word about United Way. "It took all that and then some to bring this to fruition," he said.
He said there can never be a more perfect day then when you can help someone who can never be able to thank you. "That's what United Way does," Waller said.
"There's the dad who's working so hard to feed his family who finds out one month that there's more month than money. Thanks to the generosity of the Salvation Army, he is able to put food on the table for his kids. How can he ever thank you?
"Then there are the young parents whose child has leukemia. How can they thank all those who gave blood to the Re Cross to save the life of their child? How do you ever repay the gift of life?"
Waller said there comes a time in every person's life when he feels a tug at his heart or a whisper in his ear. He said that the sound is the Almighty trying to get you to do something to make a difference in someone's life.
United Way President Dave Parson praised the volunteers who helped with the campaign.
"We are here to recognize the accomplishments of the volunteers who've put in hours and hours and hour of service to United Way," he said.
"United Way is also very fortunate to have a volunteer board of directors who are concerned about this community and the people who make it up."
Parson said that last year United Way established a community campaign goal of raising enough money to improve 26,500 lives in Wayne County by raising $1,332,000 for local programs.
"Wayne County rallied around these efforts to make the campaign successful."
During the meeting, volunteers with the community investment process, who review local programs and allocate funds, were recognized. They were Kay Albertson, Chris Martin, Tom Bradshaw, Linda Greenwood and Joe McMichael.
Also receiving recognition were the 2004 Taste of Wayne County, the annual kickoff event, co-chairmen Jane Walston and Marlee Ray.
New officers also were announced: Dave Parsons, president; Bill Brewer, president elect; Don Magoon, vice president of finance; Ric Moffatt, vice president of community service; Sally Worrell, vice president of marketing/communications; Jane Rustin, vice president of fund-raising; and Dr. Kay Albertson, vice president of community investment.
Parsons announced two big events for United Way this year. One is a prize of $1,000,000 for a hole in one at the 6th annual Founders Cup Golf Tournament to be held April 22. The winner receives half and half goes to United Way.
For the second year, Goldsboro Chrysler Dodge Jeep will give away a new vehicle --a PT Cruiser-- in United Way's Fair Share Challenge, which is open to all donors who give their fair share.
Jane Rusti will be the 2005 campaign chairman.