DAYTON — United Way of the Greater Dayton Area held its Big Thanks breakfast on Thursday, April 25. Two Preble County recipients were recognized — with Volunteer of the Year and Most Improved Campaign awards.
Jane Marshall was honored with Volunteer of the Year, while National Trail Local Schools was honored for having the Most Improved Campaign.
Marshall is a volunteer with United Way, on the Impact Council of Preble County United Way, the Policy Committee, and the Community Impact Council. She is also a volunteer with several other organizations in the area.
“[United Way] helps people and help fund places in Preble County that helps people. It brings to the forefront organizations that need volunteer help or capital help to be able to do their functions,” Marshall said.
“It is overwhelming, but very good, to be awarded today. I appreciate [Preble County United Way Director Alexa Joyce] and I’ve known her since she was a little girl. She does a great job for Preble County and we have great people in place. It is my job, I think, to advocate for Preble County on the boards that I serve on in Dayton. I don’t want Preble County lost in the midst.
“I just want to thank everybody for this and thank God for putting me where he’s put me to do the jobs he’s called me to do.”
Over the holiday season, National Trail School District gave its dollars and time to make sure 700 kids in Preble County had present to unwrap for the holidays. National Trail Superintendent Bob Fischer also has connections to United Way of the Greater Dayton Area as he currently serves as the president of the Preble County United Way Board and he is the director of the board for the Greater Dayton Area United Way as well.
At press time, he said, “It’s humbling, it just goes back to show all of the great things we do in and out of the classroom as educators and as teachers in our district. It is great to be acknowledged for the positive work that they do.”
Others (not from Preble County) honored during the ceremony included:
•Best Kept Secret — Russ Gottesman
•Collaborative Impact Award — Greene County Collective Impact Initiative
•Volunteer of the Year Montgomery County — Jeff Busch
•Volunteer of the Year Greene County — David and Kelly Maas
•Outstanding Performance in Labor Award — Communication Workers of America Local 4322
•Future of Philanthropy — Amanda Gelter
•Excellence in Philanthropy — SRC, Inc.
•Fundraiser of the Year — Dr. Peter Bath
•President’s Award for Excellence in Governance — Nick Edwards
•Smith—Moore Award — Brother Ray Fitz, S.M.
•Pinnacle Award for Large Organization Nominees — CareSource
•Pinnacle Award for Medium Organization — Verso Corporation
•Pinnacle Award (Small) — Team Fishel
