|
Burke
County United Way 50th Anniversary
Nearly 50 years ago, four gentleman of this community formed the
Burke County United Fund. These gentlemen saw an opportunity to create the
following benefits for our community:
·
Make one drive out of many drives
·
Less work for volunteer workers
·
Bring economy to budget raising
·
Distribute funds fairly and in accordance with needs
·
Give donors the privilege to budget contributions
·
Create a united community
Those men were T. Henry Wilson who was the first President, Paul
Cash who was the first Campaign Chair, Nollie Patton, and James A. Connelly.
This year, the organization now known as Burke County United Way, celebrates its
50th anniversary by celebrating the accomplishments of these men and
others who served the community by working to raise funds through the United Way
while looking forward to the future of this organization which is such an
integral part of Burke County back then and in the future.
Burke
County United Way's First Meeting Minutes
For a History of Amounts Raised and Lead Volunteers, Click Here.
T.
Henry Wilson
T. Henry Wilson
T. Henry Wilson was a builder. He was an idea man. His fertile
mind was always searching for ways to improve this community. His spirit of
inquiry and his genuine concern for his fellow citizens caused him to join with
others in the organization of the Burke County United Fund, Incorporated. The
worth of his participation in the creation of this fund is in part indicated by
his election as its first president in 1956.
Henry Wilson was a successful businessman. As President of
Henredon Furniture Industries he had responsibilities sufficient for the full
occupation of his time and talent. He could have limited himself to this
business, but he was not content to work only in those ways most beneficial to
himself. He wanted to help people and he enjoyed doing so. To that end he
devoted his talents as a builder.
He was a member of the Morganton Park & Recreation Foundation,
Inc., that developed and built the recreation building, swimming facilities and
ball fields. He was chairman of the building committee for the construction of
the swimming facilities. The standard Olympic pool with the wide deck has been
used extensively for recreation purposes, swim meets, and for the development of
a championship swimming team. His vision helped make this possible.
The created beauty of the First Presbyterian Church is ever
apparent and this church stands and will stand as a monument to his faith and
his determination as chairman of the building committee in the service of his
church to build the best.
As need for a new hospital developed it was evident that his
would be a demanding task. Again for leadership the community turned to Henry
Wilson to lead in the building of a hospital to meet present and future needs.
Like Moses he did not live to see this “promised land”, but the day will come
when his dream will be a reality and a new hospital will be built.
Henry Wilson was also a builder of the United Fund. Many demands
were made upon this community for good causes, however the fragmentary approach
before this fund was established did not yield satisfactory results. A united
approach was needed. He helped build this fund which now concentrates community
action in a well administered organization contributing to twenty seven
worthwhile causes. Others will now continue this work which he helped establish
so well.
He was a unique man. He was strong-willed, yet he had a
compassion for humanity. He made money but gave generously. He knew men of
wealth and power, but liked so well men who had no wealth and no power. He
found affection in the hearts of his fellowmen, but never sought fame or
recognition. He invested his money in stocks, bonds and land, but he invested
his life in this community.
He was once asked why he worked so hard. He replied that he had
to do his part. He did his part and much more. He used his energy and his
ability for good causes that ministered to the needs of men. He touched the
lives of people in all walks of life by giving help when needed or showing
recognition by some kindness done. Long after this generation is gone the
buildings and structures he helped build will be monuments to the effective use
of his abilities.
The first words read, “T. Henry Wilson
was a builder.” Each year,
Burke
County United Way gives one prestigious award
called the T. Henry Wilson Community Builder Award. This year’s winner was
David Burleson, a man who carries on the work of Mr. Wilson and the others who
have worked so hard before him.
Otto Woerner, David Burleson and
Bill Allman
Mr. Burleson is a member of the Board
of Directors of Burke County United Way, Vice Chairman of the Executive
Committee of the Burke County Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Board of
Directors for Blue Ridge HealthCare and Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, a
Deacon and Sunday School Instructor at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, President
of Burke’s Vision for Youth Task Force and Member of Burke’s Youth Alliance, and
Member and Past President of the Morganton Rotary Club among many other
community activities.
Mr. Burleson is a Member, past VP and Past President of the Burke
County Principals Association, served as a member of the Governor’s Leadership
Committee, the North Carolina Standards Board, the Tar Heel Association of
Principals and the Association of Secondary Principals.
Like T. Henry Wilson, his tireless
service to this community and around the state is an inspiration to us all. He
makes a positive difference, where ever he is, and inspires other to do the
same. He is always working to ensure that the people, especially the children,
of this community have what they need, and he is willing to be a leader.
Paul Cash
Paul and Mildred
Cash
In 1947, Paul Cash began his career at Mimosa Insurance. Every
week it seemed, the business was being solicited for a different cause. So when
the Burke County Chamber of Commerce recommended an investigation into the
possibility of a United Fund, Paul Cash happily joined the committee.
Everyone was in agreement that a United Fund would be a better way for the
business people of
Burke
County to support charities.
That very first year in 1956, Mr. Cash served as the Campaign
Chairman. In addition to serving as Campaign Chairman in 1956, he also served
as President of the United Fund in 1958. His record of service to the community
and to the country is unparalleled.
He is a veteran of World War II, where he piloted in B-24
bomber. He was shot down behind enemy lines twice, earning him the military
honors of the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak-leaf cluster, Air Medal with
oak-leaf cluster and the Purple Heart. He also served as President and Chairman
of the 454th Bomb Group Association. In all, Cash served our country
a total of 17 years of active and reserve service.
Cash was Morganton’s Mayor from May 1967 to December 1973 and was
Director and Vice President of the NC League of Municipalities. He served as
President of the Burke County Chamber of Commerce, the Morganton Parent-Teacher
Association, the Morganton Rotary Club, and the Burke Development Corporation
Promoting New Industry. Cash has served as a member of the Morganton Recreation
Foundation and the Board of Stewards at
First
United Methodist Church in Morganton.
His professional service includes National Director of the
National Association of Mutual Insurance Agents, President of the Carolinas
Association of Mutual Insurance Agents, President of the Insurance Firemark
Society, President of the Catawba Valley Executives Club and Member of the Board
of Governors of the Mimosa Hills Golf Club.
He was named Morganton’s Young Man of the Year in 1956, “Mr.
Mutual Agent of America”, a National Award, in 1969, and Morganton’s Man of the
Year in 1974.
He and his wife, Mildred, have three children, Libby Cash, Susan
Andrea and Spencer Cash and one grandson, Duke Farquharson, a Tech Sergeant in
SOCOM with the U.S. Airforce in
Tampa,
FL.
With such a prestigious and decorated man running the campaign,
which back then only lasted a few days, the Burke County United Fund started off
with a bang. The goal was $37,400. $50,000 was actually raised to support
Burke
County charities. The United Fund relieved businesses, industries and
professionals of having to respond to multiple charity requests. They could
give one time and cover the majority of worthy causes in the community.
Cash said, “Anyone who gave to the United Fund could rest easy
knowing that their money was well spent. A group of us examined each charitable
participant and distributed the money to agencies that could show that they were
worthy of funds.”
Indeed today,
United
Way is the most economic way for the community to raise funds for worthy
charities in Burke County. Donors can continue to rely on the more than 50
community volunteers who closely examine agencies and community needs and make
the best funding decisions possible. Still it is easier for individuals to give
once because of payroll deduction and likewise, it is easier for business to
support one major local charity.
With the economy changing, outside fundraisers increasing
drastically, and costs for consumers rising, our community needs a strong
United
Way more than ever. “People in
Burke
County are generous, and I would hope that they would continue to raise funds
for those in need through
Burke County United Way,”
said Cash.
Support your
United
Way in its 50th year with Mr. Cash and the many other who have
focused on what matters in Burke County over the years.
James A. Connelly
James A.
Connelly
After returning from World
War II, James A. Connelly founded Nite Furniture Company in 1945. His genial
demeanor and keen business sense attracted people to his firm on South Green
Street. He spent a lot of time and effort in making the area around his
business viable and attractive, landscaping and beautifying not only his own
property, but the public traffic islands in front of the company.
“I don’t think I have spent
money on anything that has brought more pleasure to me, my employees, and my
customers,” he said in an interview in 1976.
In addition to his
substantial business contribution, and his part in founding the Burke County
United Fund, he was, for several years, chairman of the Morganton Alcoholic
Beverage Control Board, on which he served with scrupulous integrity and
methodical efficiency.
He served as chairman of
the North Carolina Wildlife Commission for 18 years, and also as chairman of the
N.C. Wildlife Federation. In these roles, he was a pioneer in the conservation
of wildlife in this state and helped implement North Carolina’s first seeding
fields and in preserving game field for hunters.
In many ways, he was a
man’s man. But he also had a tender side, a gentleness, which many people never
saw. He was continually helping people in need or in financial trouble,
oftentimes anonymously, and he frequently raised money for worthy causes. It
was after his own illness that he returned from Duke University and began
crusading for local contribution to help pay the expenses of families and
parents of children who were patients at Duke. He was also a supporter and
faithful worker for the First United Methodist Church in Morganton, where he
served on the administrative board and the finance committee.
Despite his rapport with
people, he was not afraid to chart his own course and make up his own mind.
Once he reached a conclusion on any matter, his stance was generally unshakable,
and he was not afraid o stand up and say so.
Connelly never met a
stranger. He was a talker – a teller of stories – a progressive thinker, an
aggressive businessman and a noted sportsman. His contributions to his
community and his state have been considerable. His individualist imprint on
the community cannot be duplicated.
Connelly was noted in the
early days of the United Fund to be heard saying, “If we can’t achieve a goal,
there is no point in setting it.” And that they did. For over thirty years –
from 1956-1987 Burke County reached its fundraising goal for our community. For
the last 5 years, we have failed to meet goal. Isn’t it about time we stood up,
and like James A. Connelly, refuse to take no for an answer? Help United Way in
its 50th year by supporting the campaign.
Nollie Patton
Nollie Patton
Billy Joe Patton
Nollie Patton graduated
from Trinity College, now Duke University, and from the law school in 1917. He
rose to the rank of captain in World War I and was decorated as a hero with the
Croix de Guerre from the French Government and the Silver Star from the U. S.
Army.
He returned to Morganton in
1919 to practice law and in 1920, was elected to the State Senate from the 33rd
district and served in the General Assembly session of 1921. On August 31, 1922
he was appointed postmaster of Morganton, continuing to serve by reappointments
in 1926 and 1931 until June 21, 1935. He was director of the Burke County
Savings and Loan Association for fifty years since its formation in 1925. Mr.
Patton was one of the founders of the State Bank of Burke and served as vice
president and later, of the Northwestern Bank. He maintained a lifelong
interest in public affairs and served as mayor or Morganton from 1947 to 1949.
In addition to his service
to United Way, he was president of the Morganton Kiwanis Club, president of the
Chamber of Commerce and a master of the Morganton Masonic Lodge. He was also
for sixteen years a member of the governing board of the First United Methodist
Church.
The Patton family has a
history of serving the community. Nollie’s son, Billy Joe Patton served as
Campaign Chairman in 1970. Billie Joe Patton was “Mr. Masters” in 1954, coming
within a stroke of Snead and Hogan and winning the whole thing as an amateur. A
member of the Southern Golf Association Hall of Fame, he is much more than a
colorful, well-liked athlete. Like his father, he is a family man, has been a
business man, and a soldier. What has tied it all together is his love for his
hometown, Morganton. Billy Joe served the United Way proudly for many years,
lending his personality and fame to the cause he felt tied us all together as a
community. Billy Joe may not get to the Masters every year, but he is still an
annual Table Rock Society giver to the United Way.
Both Nollie Patton and
Billy Joe Patton realized the importance of a United Community through the
United Way. Reaching the community goal was important to Billy Joe in 1970,
just as it is for this year’s campaign Chairman. Help United Way in its 50th
year by supporting the campaign.
Frank Bowers
Frank Bowers was a graduate
of Morganton High School, Catawba College in Salisbury and Southern University
in Dallas, Texas. He joined his father, Judson Bowers, in the insurance
business in Morganton in 1953. Frank built one of the most successful agencies
in Nationwide Insurance. He was named Man of the Year by Nationwide in 1970 and
held the highest honor an agent can achieve, the President’s Club, for 16
years. Frank Bowers was a caring business leader who loved working with people
and treated everyone with dignity and respect. In 1990, he was awarded Business
Man of the Year in Morganton.
Giving back to his
community was always important to Frank as he served on numerous boards and
committees. He served on the Campaign Cabinet and the Board of Directors of
Burke County United Way several times during his career. He felt that we should
all support those less fortunate. In addition to United Way, he served First
United Methodist Church of Morganton in many active roles including the
Stewardship Committee, the Finance Committee, Staff Parish, Church Council and
Membership Committees. He also served on the Bank of Granite Board of Directors
and on the Board of Directors of Mimosa Hills Golf and Country Club for many
years, and was club champion three times.
Family was his greatest
love. He and his wife Patsy had three children, Keith Bowers, and twin
daughters Lynne Bowers Luther and Kelly Bowers Messenheimer. He was “Papa” to
Drew and Caroline Bowers, Morgan and Ben Luther, and Thomas and Molly
Messenheimer.
In 2003, Frank Bowers had
the opportunity to combine all his greatest passions; business, community, and
family through the United Way campaign. He served on the Campaign Cabinet for
the last time the year before he passed away, as a partner with his daughter,
Kelly, to raise money in the Finance, Insurance and Real Estate division.
Visiting other agencies personally was his way to encourage agents from other
companies to support United Way.
Kelly Bowers-Messenheimer
continues to hold the torch for her dad’s legacy along with her brother and
sister. She is greatly involved with the school system through her PTA and with
the local Boy Scouts Board in addition to helping lead the United Way campaign
for many years and other community leadership roles.
Help support Kelly and the
Bowers family by giving back through United Way in its 50th year.
Joyce Mills
Joyce Mills was the first
fill-time Executive Director of Burke County United Way. She started her career
with United Way in 1981 as the Director of the United Way or Portland Oregon.
She came to Burke County United Way in 1987, and while acclimating herself to a
different culture and much different lifestyle than he had ever experienced, she
began revitalizing Burke County United Way.
Mills was a great leader,
full of compassion and caring for all people. Planning, communication,
fund-raising and management were all a part of her everyday life at Burke County
United Way. She constantly looked at what she could do through United Way to
make a healthier and happier community. She rooted for the small guy, the poor,
the immigrant and the mentally ill, and then asked if she had left anyone out.
Where there was a group of people concerned about community issues, Mills was
there, and had most likely put the meeting together.
In 1989, Mills gathered
together a group of our communities’ most prominent members to start talking
about a community needs assessment. This group became known as “Focus on
Burke.” The needs assessment gave birth to 6 critical task forces to address
the county’s most pressing needs. Mills was instrumental in creating a Shelter
for Battered Women and Children, First Call for Help, Burke County Smart Start,
Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Community Foundation, the Burke County Economic
Summit and the Pathways to Wellness program.
In 1988, Mills became the
first female member of the previous all male Morganton Rotary Club. Mills also
served on the United Way of North Carolina Board of Directors, the North
Carolina United Way Public Policy Committee, the American Association of
University Women, the Burke County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the
Smart Start Committee, the Wachovia Bank Board of Directors, the Western
Piedmont Council of Governments Board of Directors as well as the Board of
Directors of Blue Ridge Health Care.
In 1993, Mills was named
Burke County Woman of the Year by the Morganton Business and Professional
Women’s Club. Then in 2004, she received a national United Way staff excellence
award for her service to the United Way system.
In 2004, upon receiving the
United Way staff excellence award, Mills said, “Collaboration is the key to a
healthy, vibrant community. Only by working together will we be able to have
the quality of life and opportunity for all that we wish for Burke County.”
Recently, the $2,500 - $4,999 Table Rock Society giving level was named “The
Joyce A. Mills Circle” in honor of her legacy.
The most important aspect
of Mills’ career with United Way was that she was able to get Burke County
citizens to collaborate around a common goal. In 1999, she led Burke County to
raise over a million dollars to support the less fortunate in our county. Mills
always cared about what matters. She spent her entire career making Burke
County a better place. Support what matters through Burke County United Way.
|
