Bob Holton was awarded United Way’s top honor, the Ormbee Robinson Award, at the Campaign Kick-Off luncheon at Governors Club. Held in the clubhouse ballroom on Wednesday, September 9, the event saw record-breaking attendance and hosted almost 200 people.
The Ormsbee Robinson award is named after the organizer of the first United Way fundraising drive in Fearrington, a drive that helped to solidify United Way’s presence in Chatham County. Every year, the United Way Board of Directors gives this award in honor of those persons who reflect selfless giving and committed service to Chatham County. The award is given to those who have exemplified Ormsbee’s legacy of a long-standing commitment to the United Way of Chatham County and its mission.
For more than ten years, Bob has assisted in every aspect of United Way. He has served as an agency application reviewer, chaired the evaluation panel, assisted with the Fearrington and Galloway Ridge Campaigns, collected supplies for the annual back-to school drive and helped with the countywide volunteer awards event.
Bob is also an active volunteer for several of United Way’s member agencies. He has been ringing the bell for Salvation Army’s Holiday drive for seventeen years and managing 150 bell ringers at Harris Teeter and Lowes Food stores for the last six. With Bob’s help, these drives have averaged $15,000 in collection for each of the past three years. In preparation for the winter months, Bob managed the coat collection at the Pittsboro and Chatham Downs locations of First Citizens Bank. He also oversaw the toy box collection at the Fearrington and Galloway Ridge locations of SunTrust Bank and the Pittsboro and Chatham Downs locations of First Citizens Bank. Through his energetic and caring spirit, Bob has brought warmth and joy into the lives of Chatham County adults and children in need.
United Way hosts the annual event to celebrate the prior year’s fundraising campaign and to kick off the upcoming year’s campaign. The luncheon featured a delicious lunch catered by Governors Club. Guest speaker Ken Atkins of Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton gave an update on the progress of the development of Chatham Park. Musical entertainment was provided by Sue Wilson and Betsy Kraus on the hammered dulcimer and concertina.
There were 20 displays set up by United Way member agencies which portrayed the programs and services provided by the agencies and supported by United Way campaign contributions. Sponsors for the event included: AT&T, Briar Chapel by Newland Communities, Governors Club, Nationwide Insurance and Realty World Carolina Properties.
Many residential communities, businesses and volunteers were recognized for their participation and efforts in the United Way annual campaign. The residents of Governors Club were honored for their record-breaking campaign, raising more than ever before and more than any other residential community in the campaign’s history. The Carolina Meadows Campaign saw the highest percentage of participation of all of the residential campaign and have held this distinction for several years. The Fearrington campaign had the second highest percentage of participation. The campaign at the Preserve at Jordan Lake was recognized for having the greatest percentage of increase in their campaign results.
The Chatham County Sheriff’s Department received recognition for 100% participation last year as they have for the last ten years. Kathy Brown of Chatham Hospital, Superintendent Dr. Derrick Jordan of Chatham County Schools and Courtney Goldston of the Chatham County Manager’s Office were recognized for outstanding campaign coordination. 3M received the “Greatest Employee Spirit” Award. Chatham Hospital was recognized for having the largest campaign, while Harris Teeter and UPS had the largest campaign increase.
United Way is the advocate and the benefactor to twenty outstanding, human service agencies. They are: Boys & Girls Club, Chatham Cares Pharmacy, 4-H, Council on Aging, Literacy Council, Communities in Schools, Partnership for Children, Chatham Soccer League, Chatham Social Health Council (which is now WECAHN), Chatham Trades, Child Care Networks, CORA Food Pantry, El Futuro, Family Violence and Rape Crisis Services, Girl Scouts, Legal Aid, MedAssist, Rebuilding Together of the Triangle, Salvation Army and the West Chatham Food Pantry.
For more information about the United Way, visit their website at www.unitedwayofchathamcounty.org or contact Executive Director Dina Reynolds by phone at 542-1110 or by e-mail at uwaycc@emji.net.