United Way honors volunteers; Perry takes home top award
By Dennis Hill
Published in News on February 27, 2009 1:46 PM
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David Perry, right, accepts the Emil Rosenthal Award on Thursday at the United Way's annual meeting. Presenting the award was last year's winner, Lynn Williams, at left. The award recognizes the volunteer of the year.
David Perry, who served as campaign chairman for the United Way of Wayne County in 2008, was named the recipient of the Emil Rosenthal Award at the organization's annual meeting Thursday at the Goldsboro Country Club.
Perry was recognized for having spearheaded United Way's annual fundraising campaign, which raised $1,359,540, or 96 percent of its goal, during a year marked by economic hardships for many donors.
The money will help improve the lives of more than 27,000 people in the county, United Way officials said.
Perry credited the many volunteers who worked in the campaign for its success and thanked every business and individual who contributed.
"Without them, this wouldn't be possible," he said.
Perry is the owner of Goldsboro Builders Supply, one of seven organizations recognized for their leadership during the campaign. The others were Eastern Wayne High School, Century Insurance, Jackson & Sons, Mount Olive College, 3HC, AT&T and Andy's Charitable Foundation. Most increased their overall contributions to the campaign, Jackson & Sons by a whopping 288 percent.
"If leadership embraces the campaign, we get good support," said United Way outgoing president Jane Rustin, citing the leaders of those organizations.
She added that the fact that United Way managed to reach 96 percent of its goal during rough economic times showed how much Wayne Countians care about their home.
"I really think that speaks volumes for our community," she said.
Five companies were honored with the Bush Andrews Award, which is given to firms that have at least 80 percent of their employees contribute their "fair share" to the drive. They were The Goldsboro News-Argus, Goldsboro Builders Supply, Moffatt Oil Co., United Way of Wayne County and Southco Distributing Co.
Elected or re-elected to three-year terms on the organization's board of directors were Dr. Ed Wilson, Ric Moffatt, Jane Rustin, Brian Taylor, Sally Worrell and Dr. Deborah Fulbright.
Ms. Rustin turned the reins of president over to new president Ric Moffatt, and Brian Taylor was named the chairman of the 2009 campaign.
Guest speaker at the event was Bill Millett, president of Scope View Strategic Advantage, a Charlotte-based consulting firm.
He praised Wayne for its strong commitment to the United Way and said the county's organization has consistently shown that it is one of the best in the state.
He said United Way must change with the times and that Wayne's leaders have shown a recognition of that fact, which has kept the local organization ahead of the game.
"This United Way has anticipated and adjusted itself accordingly," Millett said. "You are not tied to what's traditional."
That includes adding such aspects to its operation as accountability and goal setting that allow the United Way to address traditional problems with charitable organization operations and fundraising.
"I think you have to be from outside Wayne County to realize how different you are," Millett said.
He added that United Way is accountable and transparent in its money raising and funding efforts and that money given during the campaign is not considered donations but investments in the community.