Wayne United Way holds annual meeting
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on February 24, 2016 1:46 PM
Dr. Phil Kerstetter received the prestigious Emil Rosenthal Volunteer of the Year Award during the annual meeting of United Way of Wayne County Tuesday at First Baptist Church.
Kerstetter has been involved with United Way for more than four decades.
"I can't think of another organization that has as much impact in the community as United Way," he said. "Working together, we are truly the good."
Presenting the award was last year's recipient, Geoff Hulse.
"Regardless of where he has lived, he has immersed himself into the community," Hulse said. "Prior to coming to Wayne County and joining the United Way board, he was a member of the board of the Salina Area United Way, and served as the chair of the 2006 Salina Area United Way annual campaign.
"His list of accomplishments, both professionally and in the community, are long and impressive. He has a long history with United Way, and his passion for its mission derives from his belief that putting talents and treasures to work locally is the best way to serve his community."
Last year's United Way campaign chairman, Justin McLamb, announced that the 2015 campaign raised a total of $1,208,901 to improve the lives of 24,178 Wayne County people. The goal was $1,180,000.
"Back in August, I began the most challenging marathon that I have ever run," McLamb said. "The goal was to finish a true endurance race that was more a combination of cross country and an obstacle course, and to run it for four months. We had some challenges to overcome along the way, and we had some ups and downs that didn't slow us down, but in the end, we prevailed."
During the meeting, eight local businesses received United Way's Spirit of Wayne Awards. They were E.J. Pope and Sons, Jackson and Sons Heating and Air, Park Designs, Sentry Insurance, Southco Distributing, Southern Bank, Wayne Memorial Hospital and Cooper Standard Automotive.
"This award reflects United Way's and various employers' commitment to improving lives of others -- and being the good in Wayne County," said McLamb, who presented the awards. "It captures the underlying motivation by which people and their employers are driven to make long-term impacts in the lives of people in Wayne County."
McLamb said there were more than 100 employee campaigns conduction in Wayne County.
"Recipients of our Spirit of Wayne Award make a statement that together as United Wayne, we can make a difference in the lives of others," McLamb said.
Lynn Pipkin, claims manager at Sentry Insurance, was presented the 2015 Campaign Coordinator of the Year award.
"So much success is dependent on the dedicated work of the dozens of campaign coordinators," McLamb said. "These individuals take on the task of organizing their campaign for United Way -- in addition to their regular work duties. We know that their efforts pay off, and a great campaign coordinator can make for a great campaign and impact the outcome of the entire community campaign. This year's recipient has done just that."
The speaker at the meeting was Windsor Ingram, the 2013 honorary co-chairman of the United Way campaign, and who learned how to read at Literacy Connections of Wayne County.
He told the audience that they just don't know how it feels to have your grandchildren come to you with a book, wanting you to read it for them.
"Now I'm able to balance my checkbook," he said. "Now I can read road signs that I've traveled so much. United Way has really blessed me."