United Way picks Rustin as recipient of top honor
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on February 26, 2006 2:11 AM
Wayne County's library director is the recipient of the 2005 Emil Rosenthal Award for United Way of Wayne County.
Jane Rustin received the award at the group's annual meeting Friday. "You surprised me," she said, accepting the honor. "It awes me that you thought I should get this. We have a wonderful United Way staff, community and volunteers, and the award really belongs to Wayne County for all we did together."
Presenting the award was the previous year's recipient, Don Barnes. He noted that Ms. Rustin joined United Way's volunteer force only a few years ago and since then has served in various capacities. Last year, she was the campaign chairman.
One of Ms. Rustin's library staff wrote that during the campaign, Ms. Rustin constantly stated that it was not her reaching the goal, but all the other volunteers working so hard, and said she was quick to give all the credit to others.
The Emil Rosenthal Award is presented to each year's volunteer of the year for United Way. The award was named after a community leader and a dedicated United Way volunteer. He was president of United Way in 1973.
Ms. Rustin also received a campaign chairman's award for her outstanding leadership during last year's campaign.
During the annual meeting, media awards were presented to the Goldsboro News-Argus and Curtis Media Group.
Kay-Lynn Czarnecki, creative director with Atlas Communications in Aiken, S.C., received a plaque for making the 2005 campaign video. Wayne Memorial Hospital received a plaque for underwriting the cost of the video and Brian Strickland for taking photographs for the video.
A plaque was presented to Candace Westbrook, music director of Tommy's Road Elementary School choir, for the background music that the choir did for the campaign video. Another was presented to local Christian recording artist D.J. Coles for singing "Angels Among Us" for the video.
Kay Albertson, community investments chairman, recognized panel chairmen Linda Greenwood, Ann Millington, Tom Bradshaw, Joe McMichael and Chris Martin. "We take this process very seriously," she said. "Volunteers make some very critical recommendations on how the funds raised are spent."
Sally Worrell received a plaque as the 2005 Taste of Wayne County chairman.
Outgoing board president Dave Parsons praised United Way's staff and volunteers.
He said United Way is a community-supported organization. "It takes a total commitment to bring a campaign to an end and to have a successful campaign."
He said the 2005 campaign raised a total of $1,430,015 to improve the lives of more than 28,600 people in Wayne County this year. The goal was $1,425,000.
"It's not just the money raised that's impressive," said Parsons, "but also the concern that each and every one shows as we give that money."
Bill Brewer became the new board president at the meeting.
"We have a wonderful team here in Wayne County," he said. "I hope 2006 will be another sterling year."