Every year, we recognize and celebrate a few of the many individuals, groups, and businesses that planted seeds of love and hope in our community during the previous year.
Many thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty, and our award sponsors: Colton Groome Financial, DMJPS - CPAS and Advisors, GreyBeard Realty, ISA - Insurance Service of Asheville, Modera Wealth, and The Van Winkle Law Firm.
Our Awardees
Hear directly from our awardees below and view the event photos here. Also, we'd like to share a BIG thank you to our videographer, Rod Murphy of Collective Projects in Black Mountain, who always does a great job for us.
Hands On Volunteer of the Year Allen Foiles
Community volunteers have always been the lifeblood of this organization and so many of our partners. This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding volunteerism and an extraordinary commitment to the community through United Way.
“I think when you volunteer and you do it once and you’re able to see the impact you can have on someone else... to be able to get out of yourself for a little bit and stop worrying about what’s going on in your life and help someone else... that feeling is contagious.”
Spirit of the Mountains: Tanger Outlets Asheville
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, leadership and employee engagement, and volunteer participation.
“It is really easy to get distracted and just focus your energy on your day in and day out job. And so with Tanger allowing us and saying “hey we’re going to pay you to go out and do this [volunteer], it’s not taking away from work, it’s actually a part of our job. When I go to the foodbank I get enjoyment out of it, or she goes to Read to Succeed, she’s reading to sweet babies. There’s just so much joy in getting to give back.”
Taylor Foss Women United Award: Debra Campbell
The Women United Award was established in 2017 to recognize a member of Women United’s giving society who demonstrates extraordinary commitment to United Way’s philanthropic mission. In 2018, the award was officially renamed to the “Women United Taylor Foss Award” in order to celebrate the group’s founder and honor Taylor’s legacy in perpetuity.
“The gift of service. The gift of giving as much as you can give to positively impact lives. That’s the reward. That’s at least for me personally has been the driving force for me, and my career. Touching people’s lives, because so many people touched my life.”
Circle of Hope Award: Norma Duran Brown
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.
“Something we emphasize in UNETE, we don’t educate, we believe in the power of mutual learning. My great inspiration, my greatest force to continue doing this work is youth. Because we need to let them know we are with them, understand them, to work with them, and to learn together.”
Live United Award: Christine W. Avery Learning Center
This award recognizes an individual whose exceptional leadership, passion, and engagement is improving the lives of individuals and families in our community today and for future generations. This award recognizes someone who speaks out on behalf of or educates others on issues that support and advance United Way’s work with exceptional adherence to specific values or standards, such as diversity, respect, creativity, or innovation.
“In a world that can be so harsh and hard and take so much from people we want them to know there is still hope and you are still loved and cared for no matter if you are 6 weeks, or 24 year old, or beyond that.”
The Gamechanger Award: Bradley McMahan
This award recognizes an individual or business who 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.
“There’s a lot of procedural work being a principal.. but anytime I get in a weird headspace, I just go be with the kids. If that’s in the hallway giving fistbumps, or sitting in the classroom... it just takes two or three minutes to feel that energy... It’s the only thing you need. ”