VERO BEACH — Susan Chenault was presented the Ralph T. King Award for long-term commitment and outstanding achievement by a United Way volunteer at the Community Leaders Breakfast held at Oak Harbor Country Club in Vero Beach.
The event was attended by over 200 community leaders. Cyn DeLee Dalton, Seacoast National Bank, welcomed guests to the event, which has been sponsored by Seacoast for over 20 years.
Michael Kint, CEO, United Way of Indian River County, explained the organization’s current transition to “collective impact,” bringing more powerful and relevant solutions to this community’s social problems.
“It’s the difference between providing quality shelter and food for 100 homeless people versus reducing the rate of homelessness by half in the next decade,” he explained.
Awards were presented by United Way Board Chair Christie Loftus and Kint. The Richardson Spirit of Indian River County Awards recognize both big and small companies that demonstrate excellence in three categories including volunteerism, community contributions, and employee workplace fundraising.
Marine Bank and Trust Co. took the award for a company of 50 employees or less. The Indian River County Clerk of the Circuit Court was the winner for entities of 51 or more employees.
Awards, named for the first board chair and one of the founders of this United Way, Danforth K. Richardson, were also presented separately for excellence in contributions to the community, excellence in an employee workplace campaign, and excellence in employee community volunteerism and were accepted by Rehmann Kmetz Nuttall Ewell Graham, CPAs, and Seacoast National Bank, respectively.
Boys & Girls Club of Indian River County received the Agency Excellence Award for outstanding partnership, the ability to measure and report results of their work, and the overall impact of this agency on our community.
The 2013-2014 campaign co-chairs for the United Way Annual Campaign, Chad Morrison, Florida Floor Fashions, and Gerry Thistle, Willis, were introduced.
“Our campaign kick-off event will take place in the middle of the Sebastian Clambake Festival, Saturday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m.
Everyone is invited. Bring your lawnchairs and your appetites,” explained Thistle.