INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Association of Fundraising Professionals Indian River Chapter (AFPIR) is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s National Philanthropy Day awards. An award presentation will take place at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 15 at Riverside Theatre, 3250 Riverside Park Drive, followed by light hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.
The announcement is a culmination of many months of the application and selection process, which included a kick-off workshop for the nonprofits in April, and mentor-mentee relationships between AFPIR members and the nominating organizations to help ensure the submission of strong applications which showcase the varied philanthropic efforts of the nominees. Judging was conducted this year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Southwest Chapter of Florida.
The local celebration will honor the Indian River County residents in four specific categories. This year’s award recipients are:
Outstanding Individual Philanthropists Barney and Hariot Greene, nominated by Indian River State College Foundation.
Barney and Hariot Greene’s story is one of drive, determination, and vision combined with a spirit of generosity and a sincere resolve to make the world a better place. They share a love of education and are strong supporters of local students.
They helped to establish the Indian River State College Agricultural Endowment Fund which has provided 45 scholarships in the last 12 years. Their largesse has also been the cornerstone of a number of projects at the college, including the construction of the Richardson Center and the Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex on the Main Campus in Fort Pierce.
Locally, their support has made a difference for many through their support of such organizations as United Way of IRC; Saint Edward’s School, American Cancer Society, and First United Methodist Church. In their quiet and humble manner, this extraordinary couple has planted the seeds for hope and enriched the lives of so many in our community and beyond.
Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, nominated by Indian River Medical Center Foundation.
US Trust / Bank of America has a long-standing tradition of supporting our community. For the Indian River Medical Center, their commitment has played an integral role in the transformation of the IRMC from a good community hospital to an outstanding regional medical center.
Their generosity has helped to enable the creation of a 42-bed Emergency Service Pavilion, and The Heart Center, already ranked as one of the top cardiovascular surgery programs in the US. Their involvement has inspired many of their staff to take on leadership roles with Children’s Home Society, SafeSpace, Environmental Learning Center, Boys and Girls Clubs of Martin County, Hospice of the Treasure Coast, to name a few.
In 2010, 36 percent of their local charitable foundation funds directly benefited organizations in Indian River County. They have a commitment to social responsibility and strive to ensure the most important community needs are met.
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraisers Karl M. Steene, nominated The Sun Up Center.
Karl Steene is an outstanding example of philanthropy in action. He gives freely of time and talent on days, evenings and weekends and has done so for over 14 years in Vero Beach.
Karl developed and championed Sun Up Center’s signature event, Vero Road Rally Magnifique, which has raised more than $100,000 in the past two years. In 2009/10, he was a co-chair for the United Way of IRC’s Annual Campaign, helping to plan and execute the successful operation of raising nearly $2.4 million in an economically difficult year.
He is an active Rotarian and has also served on the boards of Sun Up, Salvation Army, United Way, Cultural Council of IRC, and Vero Beach Opera, to name a few. Karl has an affinity and passion for fund raising and “fun-raising,” he is a person whose actions speak just as clearly as his words.
Unsung Hero of the Year: David M. Taylor, nominated by Indian River Habitat for Humanity.
“A hand up, not a hand out,” is Dave Taylor’s mantra. He is a key volunteer in Habitat for Humanity’s Habitat Hoedown for the past four years, serving as Chair for the past three; the family support program, for which he is the link between prospective homebuyers and Habitat; and has served on their scholarship program committee, on which he has served for the past four years.
He actively participates on the committees for the Bowl-to-Build Tournament and HabiTrot 5k, both signature fundraisers benefiting the scholarship program. Dave and his wife Barb are also active in the First Church of God, and the Vero Beach High School Lacrosse team. His “can do” personality is an inspiration to everyone who works alongside him.
Additional individual honorees being recognized for their contributions include: Mary P. Graves, nominated by Indian River State College Foundation; Kip Jacoby, nominated by United Way of Indian River County; Dawn E. Michael, nominated by Senior Resource Association; Donna Peters, nominated by Jessie’s Journey of Hope; and Sue M. Tompkins, nominated by Education Foundation of Indian River County.
Additional corporate nominees being recognized include: Piper Aircraft, nominated by Education Foundation of Indian River County; Vero US1 Nissan & Route 60 Hyundai, nominated by Homeless Family Center, Inc.; and Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club nominated by Treasure Coast Food Bank.
Tickets to the celebration are $30 per person. Monies raised from the event are reinvested locally in the AFPIR, supporting the profession of fundraising through chapter membership scholarships for new and current members to attend professional development workshops.
For more information, visit the AFPIR website at www.afpindianriver.afpnet.org.
