Wednesday, May 7, 2003 – United Way of the Greater Dayton Area thanked nearly 300 volunteers and community supporters at a recognition celebration held today from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the gymnasium at the Buckeye Trails Girl Scout Council Program Center (450 Shoup Mill Road).   The scene was a “blast from the past” as the staff, volunteer leaders, music, food, and venue were all decked out like a 1950s-era sock hop.

“We wanted to show our appreciation to our volunteers and company supporters, and make sure they had fun while we were doing so,” United Way President Marc R. Levy said.   “These individuals gave many hours over the past year to carry out United Way’s work of mobilizing the community on behalf of a core safety network of health and human services.”   Levy said he hopes this new annual event will grow each year as the United Way carries out strategies to increase participation in 2003 and beyond.

Dr. Ned Sifferlen, President and CEO, Sinclair Community College, received the third annual Smith-Moore Human Services Award.   Named in honor of Fred Smith and John Moore, past Chairmen of the United Way Board, this singular award is given to a local leader who has made a difference in the quality of life in the Miami Valley through sustained volunteer involvement, commitment, and vision in the health and human services arena.

“Ned understands that education and human services must go hand-in-hand for a strong community and has given more than 30 years of service to that partnership,” Levy said.   “His leadership in the health and human services scene is evidenced by both his profession and impressive record at Sinclair and his volunteer service in our community.”

Percy Vera was the first recipient of the Nancy K. Schiffer Award for Human Services Advocacy and Collaboration.   Schiffer, a 30-year United Way staff member who retired earlier this year, devoted her career to advocating and collaborating on behalf of our local health and human service system.

Vera, a retired professor of Economics coincidentally at Sinclair Community College, has been a United Way Volunteer for 12 years, primarily working with Schiffer as a member of the United Way Community Partnerships Council.   He shares her belief in the power of advocacy and collaboration.   He has also devoted countless hours to the betterment of our community through the United Way and many of its partner organizations.

The American Red Cross and Boy Scouts, Tecumseh Council received Excellence in Outcome Evaluation Awards that included a $1,000 honorarium sponsored by NCR.

In addition, 22 companies received awards for their results, leadership, best practices, innovative use of technology, and creative communications and special events and on behalf of the 2002 United Way Campaign.   More than 200 companies and unions were honored with the Company that Cares Award or Union That Cares Award for their campaign participation and results.