United Way presents trio of awards at annual meeting

Friday, April 24, 2015

BAINBRIDGE -- Presenting a pair of inaugural service awards and honoring a board member who's served so long no one remembers when he wasn't a part of the program, the United Way of Putnam County conducted its annual meeting Thursday evening at the Bainbridge Community Center.

The two new awards -- Director of the Year and the Shining Star Award -- proved to be difficult choices, United Way Executive Director Jennifer Edwards said.

For example, the United Way has 13 "good, active board members," Edwards said, so singling out just one wasn't easy.

Presenting inaugural awards to a pair of local volunteers, United Way of Putnam County Executive Director Jennifer Edwards Thursday evening honors Mike Newman (left) of Hope Haven Horse Farm with the first Shining Star Award and Shane Johnson as the initial United Way Director of the Year. (Photo by ERIC BERNSEE)

However, she and United Way President Cathy Tipton, who retains that position for 2015-16, selected Shane Johnson as 2015 Director of the Year.

Johnson was the driving force behind the creation of the Real Men Read program this year, Edwards said, noting that male community volunteers have been reading to 400 students in 20 local kindergarten classes.

Johnson helped implement the program during this academic year, modeling it on a Vigo County reading effort.

When the men sat down to read a book to the youngsters, Johnson said he would guarantee for "at least one student, it was the first time a man ever read a book to them."

He praised Duke Energy for its support of the program which saw those 400 youngsters each take home five books.

In many cases, as Cloverdale Elementary School Principal Brad Sandy suggested in a note praising the innovative United Way program, it was the first book students could call their own.

"I'm thankful I can live in a county that embraces such a program," Johnson added in receiving the inaugural award.

Meanwhile, the first-ever Shining Star Award with nominations made by the 14 United Way partner agencies, sought someone within those agencies who has "gone above and beyond," Edwards explained.

That person, a nomination letter from Christina Menke, executive director of Hope Haven Horse Farm, noted, "is a hero, a Shining Star and an angel."

The award was presented to Mike Newman, a volunteer at Hope Haven on U.S. 40, just west of the Putnam-Hendricks county line.

Newman, who said he bought himself a horse when he turned 50, explained that Hope Haven is dedicated to providing opportunities for at-risk youth and special needs residents through innovative equine therapy techniques.

After serving so many terms no one is really sure when he started with United Way of Putnam County, Dr. Thomas Graffis receives a framed certificate Thursday evening, honoring his retirement from the board. Presenting the award are United Way president Cathy Tipton (left) and Executive Director Jennifer Edwards. (Photo by ERIC BERNSEE)

The evening's third award was presented to retiring board member Dr. Thomas Graffis, the longtime local dentist who has served so many three-year terms on the local United Way board it's possible the old organization slogan,"thanks to you it's working" may have been written for him.

"It's really not work," Graffis told the audience. "It's just a blessing that you can do."

Meanwhile, United Way Director Edwards celebrated her third year as the local organization's halftime director.

The experience, she said, has made her acutely aware that it's "not always about the dollars."

"Sometimes it's about the sense ... as in S-E-N-S-E, like the sense of community we create together," she added.

With a month to go in its campaign, the United Way has raised $120,000, Edwards reported.

Much of that money will go to support the partner agencies of the Putnam County United Way.

The 14 partner agencies for 2014-15 are the American Red Cross, Beyond Homeless Inc., Hope Haven Horse Farm, Johnson Nichols Health Clinic, Mental Health America in Putnam County, Putnam County Chaplaincy Association, Putnam County Comprehensive Services, Putnam County Council on Aging and Aged, Putnam County Family Support Services, Putnam County Youth Development Commission, Reading Improvement Center, Summer Enrichment Program, The Imagination Library and YMCA of Clay County.

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