Washington County Foundation seeks nominations for community award winners
The Washington County Community Foundation is “in the philanthropy business,” according to the organization’s CEO and president, Betsie Trew.
The foundation is currently seeking nominations through Jan. 31 for four annual community awards.
“By involving the public in these awards, we’re involving the public in philanthropy and carrying it forward,” Trew said.
Trew said the awards fit into the foundation’s mission to improve the quality of life in Washington County by promoting and facilitating philanthropy.
Trew said sometimes it is difficult for the foundation to make a decision on the awardees because there are so many doing so much good.
“It has helped to educate us about some of the great work in the community,” Trew said. “There are people doing great things we don’t know about and this opens us up to that.”
The Jack Educator Award recognizes a local public educator “who has displayed the ability to inspire children from all backgrounds and abilities, who has earned the respect of colleagues, students and parents, and who is actively engaged in the community.”
It is open to all Washington County public school educators. The award includes a $1,000 grant to an educational program with which the recipient is affiliated.
The Waller Humanitarian Award recognizes “a local individual or organization who is devoted to the promotion of human welfare and/or the advancement of social reforms as evidenced by humanitarian deeds in the community, whether local, national or international.”
It is open to all county residents or for-profit companies operating in Washington County who have performed humanitarian service. The award includes a $1,000 grant to the charity of the recipient’s choice.
The Jack Educator Award and the Waller Humanitarian Award will be presented at the foundation’s Legacy Luncheon May 19 at the Southpointe Golf Club.
The Keller Corporate Philanthropy Award recognizes a local for-profit business for “exemplary giving and community service.” All for-profit businesses operating in Washington County are eligible to be nominated.
Criteria are as follows: demonstrate a company philosophy of community service (such as time-off or flexible scheduling for employees to perform community service); encourage employee commitment at multiple levels of the company; donate resources including financial, personnel, facility, or product; or orchestrate a sustained effort to address a community need; promote active community participation by others.
The Philanthropist of the Year Award recognizes local philanthropists “for exceptional generosity to the Washington County community.”
Potential nominees must demonstrate “exceptional generosity, relative to one’s ability to give, through personal financial gifts to local charitable causes; demonstrate encouragement and motivation of others to financially support local charitable causes; document efforts to improve the quality of life in Washington County through volunteer leadership of local charitable and other community efforts; and document efforts to advance philanthropy in general.”
The Keller Corporate Philanthropy Award and the Philanthropist of the Year Award will be presented at the WCCF’s Philanthropy Banquet, Nov. 2 at the Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe.
“The people whose names these awards bear are especially dedicated trustees, chairpersons and founding members,” Trew said. “We wanted to find some way to recognize what they’ve meant to the foundation and each award is appropriate to their background.”
The Washington County Community Foundation was initiated by community leaders to encourage charitable giving, said Threw.
The Dr. Howard Jack and Louis E. Waller have been awarded each year since 2009. The Charles Keller first awarded in 2012. The Philanthropist of the Year dates back to 1999.
Criteria and nomination forms for each award are available on the foundation website at www.wccf.net.