West Virginia is fortunate to have a state of individuals, organizations, businesses, and staff who contribute their time, talent and treasure to spread the Spirit of Philanthropy . Philanthropy West Virginia, formerly West Virginia Grantmakers established the Spirit of Philanthropy Awards Program in 2007 to recognize outstanding philanthropic leaders for their generosity in support of their communities, regions, and state.
“Philanthropy is not just something for Bill Gates or Oprah Winfrey rather it is a simple act, by any citizen, of giving and investing in your community in strategic ways for the long-term benefit,” shares Paul D. Daugherty, president and CEO of Philanthropy WV. He adds, “We are honored to recognize outstanding examples of philanthropy in the Mountain State with this year’s honorees.” The Spirit of Philanthropy Awards Program includes three awards: Volunteer Leadership, Staff Leadership, and Critical Impact which were announced at Philanthropy West Virginia’s Annual Conference/Meeting this month at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling. This year as part of Philanthropy West Virginia’s 20th Anniversary a special Lifetime Achievement Award was also presented.
The 2013 Volunteer Leadership Award was presented to Mary Lou Haley of Hinton. Ms. Haley is a long time community leader of the Hinton/Summers County community who has devoted her retirement life to making it a better place. She has devoted her personal time, talent and treasure to many organizations and initiatives that represent philanthropy from serving on the Hinton Area Foundations’ Board of Directors to serving as President of Main Street Hinton. One major achievement for her receiving this award was her selfless service and philanthropic investment in re-opening the skilled nursing facility in Hinton in early 2013 after 5 years of hard work and perseverance. “Mary Lou worked 40, 50 and sometimes 60 hours a week at no pay and no reimbursement for using her building, utilities, insurance, travel or meals,” shares nominator David Ziegler of Hinton. He adds, “She exemplifies volunteer leadership of philanthropy and makes the impossible possible.”
The 2013 Staff Leadership Award was presented to Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley (CFOV) Executive Director Susie Nelson. Susie is a dynamic leader in the community foundation sector having developed many unique programs during her time at CFOV. Award presenter Dr. H. Lawrence Jones recognized Nelson for her leadership in embarking on many programs that benefit the Upper Ohio Valley. In particular, her recent work engaging those in the Marcellus Shale boom to establish permanent endowments to benefit the communities now and forever is becoming a model for others to use. Dr. Jones notes, “Susie’s passion for her work is remarkable and you see it as she is a role model serving with kindness, leadership, support, and fairness.”
The 2013 Critical Impact Award was presented to the Civic Leaders Fellowship Program a collaborative program among Our Community’s Foundation: The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation & Regional Affiliates, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, and Bernard McDonough Foundation. This innovative program was launched as a home grown solution among Mid-Ohio Valley foundations to change the region’s future by creating local opportunities for the next generation. The collaboration strives to improve access to local employment for interested college-age students and to improve their civic leadership capacity and interest. Award presenter Ann Beck, board chair for Our Community’s Foundation shares, “The impact of this project has been the economic power of the funders creating 14 regional jobs in 2012, 24 jobs in the Mid-Ohio Valley and eight in the Wheeling area in 2013 for college age students.” She adds, “The summer employment deepens the college students’ individual capacity to secure work in West Virginia and improve their civic and leadership skills to be active contributors to our communities.” The Civic Leaders Fellowship Program is an outstanding model of creating public-private-philanthropic partnerships that responds to a community need resulting in a critical impact.
Unveiled as a new award coinciding with the 20th Anniversary Celebration, Philanthropy West Virginia presented the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Spirit of Philanthropy Award to David Ziegler of Hinton, WV. David has contributed over forty years of volunteer leadership in the philanthropy world. He has contributed outstanding service in many ways to the Summers County and Hinton community with the creation and growth of several foundations. His leadership for which he is starting a third decade of service that stands out for this award is founding, growing and supporting the Hinton Area Foundation, the community foundation serving Summers County. “David has given his legal expertise, personal wealth, and broad community experience which has made the Hinton Area Foundation a convener for comprehensive community improvement,” shares presenter Dr. Jerry Beasley. Ziegler’s lifetime of work includes the Ziegler family who are active community leaders in many ways.
