Karen Kistler

karen.kistler@salisburypost.com

 

The Rowan County United Way’s annual meeting Jan. 17 was an evening filled with gratitude, awards and one big surprise in the form of a $35,000 check presented to United Way Campaign Chair Kaisha Brown from F&M Bank, helping to meet the 2024 fundraising goal of $1.1 million.

F&M Bank’s Community Banking Officer/Vice President Nick Means made the check presentation to Brown surprising her after she was recognized for her hard work, dedication and successful campaign by Desiree Dunston, United Way board president and emcee for the event. 

Sirens sounded and Means really surprised everyone by coming to the podium and asking if they had ever been to a roast, and jokingly said Kaisha was going to be roasted.

“Seriously now,” he said, “a wise man once said during a sermon that a lot of people claim to be leaders but they turn around and realize that no one is following them. But I can tell you that this young lady right here has truly been a leader.”

A member of the campaign cabinet, Means said he had undergone shoulder surgery and wasn’t able to get to campaign meetings and was never made to feel bad because of it, telling that Brown offered help if he needed anything.  

“You have been a true inspiration to so many people,” said Means. “You have been such an inspiration that I have a prize for you.”

He then retrieved a large presentation check, which he showed first to the crowd, and then turned it where she could see the amount of $35,000 for the campaign.

As he did so, he said, “on behalf of F&M Bank, because of Kaisha Brown’s leadership, F&M Bank is donating an additional $35,000,” which was met with lots of applause and cheers from the audience.

Brown’s look of surprise turned into a huge smile on her face and excitement in her voice as she said, “This is what building community together is all about.”

A large bell was rung and a very long poster was unveiled revealing that the campaign’s goal of $1.1 million had been met.

In an email Brown said that at first she was shocked when Nick said, “We’re going to roast Kaisha,” and I thought, “What funny stories are people going to share?” But then, she said, “being presented with the check from F&M Bank, which helped us reach our $1.1 million goal, was an overwhelmingly positive surprise. I was in complete awe.”

Brown said that the support from them and every donor, “no matter the amount, played an important role. I’m happy we can say we completed our puzzle for this year by working and giving together.”

Prior to the presentation of the check, Brown had announced that they had gone over the million-dollar mark and had so far raised $1,067,024.

Other highlights included the presentation of multiple awards by Brown and Jenny Lee, the executive director of Rowan County United Way.

As she prepared to present the first award, Brown told the crowd that “it’s an honor to continue to celebrate the incredible people and organizations who go above and beyond to make our community stronger through their support and compassion with United Way.”

Awards, recipients and criteria of each is as follows:

The Humble Hero Award was presented to Dr. Jared Tice. This award is presented to a person or company whose everyday exceptionality and kindness remind us we all have the opportunity to be heroic simply by stepping forward and volunteering to help others.

The Campaign Champion Award went to BrickEd & More.

This award recognizes a campaign volunteer or volunteers who have shown an outstanding effort to engage the entire community in the spirit of giving.

The Campaign Chairman’s Award was presented to Central Carolina Insurance Agency.

This award goes to a company which demonstrates corporate philanthropy and engagement. She noted that this company has hosted campaign meetings, shared the United Way message, and motivated their employees to give and had a remarkable 135 percent increase in their total campaign this year.

The Corporate Impact Award went to Cloninger Ford Toyota.

This award is given to a company who goes over and beyond, aligning their mission and corporate philanthropy with the needs of our community.

Power of Partnership Award was presented to the city of Salisbury.

It recognizes a company that has shown collaboration by extending its heart, mind, dollars and staff to further the mission of United Way in an immeasurable way.

The Champion of Philanthropy Award was given to Carl Repsher.

That award recognizes individuals in the community who have contributed to building a strong culture of philanthropy and whose generosity has made a lasting impact in Rowan County.

Lee presented the last award, the Helping Hand Award, which went to Mark Lewis.

In announcing the recipient, Lee said that every year United Way recognizes an individual or group of individuals for their outstanding service.

“When reflecting upon the past year, one very special friend of United Way stood out among the rest and because of their dedication, it was quite easy to identify this award recipient,” she said.

She noted that Lewis has served with United Way for more than 25 years in many roles including board president, vice president, secretary/treasurer and campaign chair. She said he holds the record of “yielding one of our highest campaign goals of more than $2 million.”

He currently serves on our board of directors, multiple committees, provides help when asked and “is truly vested in our mission and for that I am forever grateful,” said Lee.

Following the opening by Dunston and her expression of thanks to all who helped to make the event possible, Lee came to the podium and added her thanks, and telling that “we are here today to celebrate our community investment partners and the success of all of you as volunteers to help raise significant dollars to help support these very special programs.” 

Throughout the event, representatives of the 2024 Community Investment Partners were recognized and thanked for their service, along with elected officials who were present, United Way staff, board members and officers. 

A special video, courtesy of Miller Davis, was shown as a memorial to the late Mayor Karen Alexander.

Lee said that “we would be remiss at United Way if we did not acknowledge the passing of a dear friend of everyone here in Rowan County and throughout the state of North Carolina. Since I’ve been involved with United Way and eons before I became involved, Mayor Karen Alexander was really a beacon of hope and United Way champion.”

The annual meeting also served as the time when officers and board members were thanked for their service and new board members were duly elected and presented.

Officers elected are: Jim Behmer, president; Micah Ennis, vice president; Melonie Thompson, VP community impact; Kaisha Brown, VP public relations; Mark Lewis, secretary/treasurer; and Desiree Dunston, past president.

Behemer came to the stage and thanked Dunston for her service and announced the new slate of board members. These are Gwin Barr, Alyssa Harris, Eric Slipp and David Whisenant.

Lori Yang was recognized for her service and presented a plaque, as she was the only member going off of the board.

Brown, Dunston and Lee were all given the opportunity to reflect on their year of service in their various roles.

Brown said that it had been an “honor to serve our community in this capacity (as campaign chair). To be the youngest person to lead the Rowan County United Way campaign, and to make goal for the first time since the pandemic has been a remarkable experience. I couldn’t have done it without the help and support of our amazing 2024-2025 campaign cabinet members.”

She also thanked her core team once again, which included Rodney Harrison, Gemale Black and her mother Barbara Brown.

Dunston reflected on her year as president and said she was “humbled and proud to reflect on the incredible work our community has accomplished together through Rowan County United Way. This year has been marked by renewed energy, collaboration and above all, an unwavering commitment to serving our neighbors in need.”

Noting difficulties experienced through the year, she expressed thanks for support from Lee, the staff, board and her “vice president, my wingman, Jim Behmer, who stepped in for me when needed,” she said.

Lee thanked the staff, a dream team she called them, along with the hundreds of volunteers, community partners and donors, adding that she looked forward to serving alongside Behemer and the other members of the executive committee, board and volunteers during this new year.

She also excitedly mentioned, as Dunston did, the three main priorities they had been able to accomplish in 2024. These included the securing of more than $3 million of federal funding to bring Rowan County its very first inpatient detox facility; focusing their efforts on the pathway to United Ways Innovative Community Center, the Hub, the center for collaboration, which Lee said is completely filled with tenants; and the last priority of hitting the campaign goal, the first time since the pandemic, she said,

The evening concluded with incoming board president Behmer noting that meeting these priorities was a great achievement.

He said that as the incoming president he would “continue to facilitate and help with the Rowan County United Way priorities and one of the main goals is to get that building upfitted so we can get our tenants in as quickly as we can and collaborate. So I’m excited about that.”