"When an American asks for the cooperation of his fellow citizens, it is seldom refused; and I have often seen it afforded spontaneously, and with great goodwill."
Alexis de Tocqueville wrote this quote about what he saw when he visited the United States of America in his 1835 book, Democracy in America. Tocqueville believed that by achieving the elements of democracy, all people would pursue freedom, knowledge, and prosperity. The Tocqueville Society of United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County earned its name to honor and carry on the tradition of neighbor helping neighbor.
For 20 years, UWABC Tocqueville Society has gathered together to award a member the Community Service Award. This prestige is given each year to an individual or family whose service and generosity exemplify the true spirit of volunteerism.
On the 20th anniversary of the Tocqueville Society Community Service Award, the society gathered at the Eldr Restaurant to honor and celebrate the leadership and contributions of Suzanne and David DeFerie in our community as a couple and Suzanne’s decades-long contributions as a leader and volunteer with the organization.
About The Tocqueville Society In Buncombe County
The impact of the Tocqueville Society has been a tremendous driver toward United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County advancing their work in the community. This giving society, founded in 1990 by Charlie and Eleanor Owen, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. George D. Renfro, & Jerry Sternberg harnesses both the giving power and expertise of local leaders.
Tocqueville Society members pledge an annual gift of $10,000 or more and often serve in other leadership positions within the organization. This group of donors has collectively contributed more than $21 million throughout its 32-year history here in Buncombe County. Currently, 72 families are active members of the group.
About The Recipients
Since the late 1990s, Suzanne DeFerie served on many of United Way’s committees including the Finance Committee, Resource Development Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, and Board of Directors, eventually rising to the position of chair in each. And in 2018, alongside Janice Brumit, Ann Young, and Taylor Foss, DeFerie raised over $2.5MM in two years as co-chairs of the Tocqueville Society.
In addition to her work with United Way, DeFerie also served in a multitude of capacities for business, industry, and community organizations, including former Board Chair of Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce; Secretary and Executive Committee member of the Board of Directors of Mission Health System; Board Member of the Economic Development Coalition of Asheville-Buncombe County; board member of Asheville Merchant Fund; board member and Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity; provost, 2011 North Carolina School of Banking at UNC - Chapel Hill; advisory board, Department of Accounting, Appalachian State University; Board member of the Black Mountain Center Foundation; and Past President, Asheville Breakfast Rotary Club.
Previous Awardees
- 2002 - Buddy and Marilyn Patton & Barbara Blomberg
- 2003 - Janice and Joe Brumit
- 2004 - Jerry Sternberg
- 2005 - Pam and Jim Turner
- 2006 - Heather and Bill Lee
- 2007 - Charlie and Eleanor Owen
- 2008 - John and Diane Teeter
- 2009 - Charlie and Cary Owen
- 2011 - Jim and Robin Stickney
- 2013 - Dot Hamill & Marla and Joel Adams
- 2014 - Barbara and George Groome
- 2015 - Barbra and Keith Love
- 2016 - Ann and Mike Young
- 2018 - David Bailey and Sherie Ryan Bailey
- 2019 - Taylor and Gary Foss
- 2020 - Tracy and Scott Buchanan
- 2021 - Jennie Eblen and Bobbie Eblen
- 2022 - Suzanne and David DeFerie
