KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Nov. 30) – The Great Smoky Mountain Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) celebrated National Philanthropy Day on Nov. 12 with an awards luncheon honoring local volunteers and philanthropists.
The local AFP chapter presented three awards at the celebration, which was held at Rothchild Catering and Conference Center in Knoxville. U.S. Cellular received the Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist award. Nominated by Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee, U.S. Cellular has contributed more than $200,000 to the organization’s programming since 2003. Over the past five years, U.S. Cellular has contributed more than $1.1 million to Tennessee schools and nonprofit organizations, and local company associates have volunteered more than 1,600 hours over the past three years. Jack Brundige, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in Tennessee, accepted the award on behalf of the company.
In 2009-2010, U.S. Cellular is committed to helping schools through funding and volunteerism,” Brundige said. “I’m excited to announce that we’ve kicked off ourCalling All Communities campaign again. Through Jan. 15, anyone 18 years or older can go to any U.S. Cellular store to get a code to vote online and give their favorite school a chance to be one of 10 to win $100,000.”
Two East Tennessee schools were named Calling All Communities champions in last year’s campaign: Bearden High School in Knoxville and Heritage High School in Maryville.
William “Bill” Jolly was named Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser. Jolly was nominated by Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee for his service and outstanding fundraising efforts. Jolly has raised more than $50,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters through his unique brand of fundraising – soliciting donations by swimming long distances, and he has served on the organization’s board of directors and as a Big Brother to two Little Brothers.
Dean Winegardner, president and CEO of Knoxville-based American Book Company, received the Outstanding Philanthropist award. Nominated by Boys and Girls Clubs of The Tennessee Valley, he serves on the organization’s board of directors, has contributed over $50,000 to annual giving campaign and initiated the Million Dollar Book Sale fundraising event. With the help of The Jeff Gordon Foundation, Winegardner for the past three years has sponsored an incredible trip for members of both the Boys and Girls Clubs and Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee to meet Jeff Gordon at NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports facilities in North Carolina.
We are so grateful to the individuals and corporate citizens that support the valuable work of nonprofit organizations in our region,” said Myra Yeatman, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee. “It’s important that we take the time to thank them and recognize them for their passion, commitment and generosity to nonprofits and the people we serve.”
The nomination process for the 2009 National Philanthropy Day Awards involved nonprofit organizations voluntarily submitting nominations, which were then judged by AFP chapter members in Atlanta, Birmingham, Chattanooga and Nashville.
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