Close to two hundred people gathered at The Barn, a locally owned event venue in West Asheville, to honor six community leaders and organizations at United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County’s Community Impact Awards Dinner on May 14.

Kevin Montgomery, Vice President of Resource Development at United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, welcomed the crowd: “Our staff feels incredibly fortunate. Every day, no matter our role, we get to meet and work alongside some incredible people from this community. People who are caring, creative, and dedicated. People who are ready to go the extra mile, even when the road is long and bumpy. People like you. And just like us, your commitment comes from the fact that this is our home, and we all believe that everyone in this community should feel like they belong and have the opportunity to thrive. So thank you. Thank you for all you do for our community.”

2026 Awardees

Steve Shoaf | Hands On Asheville-Buncombe Volunteer of the Year

Volunteers have always been the lifeblood of United Way and for so many of our nonprofit partners. This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding volunteerism and an extraordinary commitment to our community.

Steve was chosen for his unwavering commitment to our community and his inspiring leadership. From championing fundraising campaigns to volunteering at countless events and encouraging other retirees to get involved, Steve’s generosity and dedication truly set him apart. 

“I started, probably 50 years ago, volunteering in the Peace Corps, and it’s been part of my life ever since… I got started with the United Way workplace campaign and have continued since 1988, either as a donor or as a volunteer… I think it’s something that is part of my DNA… I feel like I can still do more and contribute more… but I’m getting as much out of it as anybody else.” Steve Shoaf

Legerton Architecture [John Legerton and Wendy Legerton]  | Spirit of the Mountains 

This award recognizes a business that is ‘all-in’ in its support of the community and United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, generating impact through its financial investments, employee engagement, and volunteer participation.

Legerton Architecture was chosen for its deep commitment to community-driven projects and its hands-on support of United Way, from critical building improvements to leadership on the UWABC Community Hub. Their dedication to engaging stakeholders and giving back truly exemplifies the spirit of partnership and service.

“I think one of the things that I’ve appreciated about the legacy that John started is that leading our firm wasn’t all about making a profit at the end of the day. It was about building community and improving the whole of our environment as much as possible… we really encourage folks to figure out what their passion is and then plug into the community and volunteer. Those connections bring us all up, make us all stronger.” John Legerton and Wendy Legerton

Amy Hanks | Women United Taylor Foss Award

Established in 2017, the Women United Award honors a member of the giving society for exceptional commitment to United Way’s mission. Renamed in 2018 as the “Women United Taylor Foss Award,” it celebrates the group’s founder and Taylor’s lasting legacy.

Amy was chosen for the Taylor Foss Women United Award because of her decades of dedicated service, including leading fundraising efforts for United Way and other local organizations. Her passion for supporting community efforts and uplifting others truly embodies the spirit of Women United.

“I think when you’re incredibly grateful, it truly does turn into a sense of responsibility… it becomes a part of you that giving back is something that is encouraged to do. I believe that we’re all called to serve, and I try to live that out each day… being able to not only see the needs, but to respond… doing everything we can to help our community become better and better and leave a legacy for the generations that are coming up.” Amy Hanks

Team Us | The Circle of Hope Award 

This award recognizes a nonprofit professional for their extraordinary leadership, creativity, and compassion during a pivotal moment in their organization, our collective history, or over the course of their career.

Team Us was chosen for their extraordinary leadership, compassion, and lasting impact on thousands of youth and families in Buncombe County. Through innovative programs and community events, they foster unity, opportunity, and hope for all generations, truly embodying the spirit of a resilient and inclusive community.

“Team Us started in 2015 as a one-time event, but it grew beyond that. We involve the children from all over Asheville… It’s not just for the Shiloh community, it’s for all of Asheville. Everything is not about what we want as adults. It’s about what the kids want and what they want out of life… we’re here to give kids an outlet of positivity.”

Consulta tu Compa [Jackie Fitzgerald] | Live United Award 

This award honors individuals or groups whose leadership and passion improve lives in our community—now and for future generations—especially those advocating for diversity, respect, creativity, or innovation.

Consulta tu Compa earned the Live United Award for building deep trust with Spanish-speaking families and breaking down barriers to disaster recovery. Their team, including Jackie Fitzgerald, has been a vital bridge for those most in need—showing that real change happens when we show up together.

“We create spaces where people are welcome to be their full selves, where housing is a human right, and nothing is about us without us. So we create spaces for people to build their leadership, bring in their families, and be a very interconnected neighborhood… a collective that supports one another and advocates for one another. Community work is about creating sustainable systems… that will outlast us.”

Emily Erikson, Enka Intermediate Principal | Gamechanger Award

This award recognizes an individual or business that embraces United Way’s Guiding Principles and the community school strategy by demonstrating outstanding leadership in improving systems for equitable student learning and educational excellence.

Emily was chosen for the Game Changer Award because of her visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to transforming her school and community. Her innovative approach, deep commitment to student success, and ability to connect families with vital resources have made a lasting impact.

“I try to be present with them [youth] always… I’m always investing my time and energy, listening to them and attending to their concerns… I think that being a community school helps us have a little bit of agency—we’re able to provide students with basic needs, supplement our families with resources, and ease the strain on families… we know that helps our students be better prepared to be successful in the classroom and community.”

Awardee testimonial videos can be found here. 

Thank you
Event sponsors included: Colton Groome, DMJPS, The Van Winkle Law Firm, Mosaic Lifestyle Realty, Modera Wealth Management, and Crawl Space Ninja.