(Canton, OH) February 28, 2019 – United Way of Greater Stark County will present the following workplace and volunteer awards at the Annual Celebration, March 28th at Kent State University at Stark Conference Center: Cornerstone, Trailblazer, Chair’s Circle, DeHoff Emerging Philanthropist and Gold Key Service.
“We are grateful to the workplaces and individuals that make a difference every day in the lives of their neighbors. These awards allow us to recognize community leaders and volunteers for the positive impact they make in our community.” says United Way of Greater Stark County President & CEO Maria Heege.
Workplace awards will be presented to local organizations which conducted a United Way fundraising campaign within the workplace. Cornerstone celebrates workplaces that achieved at least 65 percent employee participation, follow best practices and experienced growth of $1,000 or more to their employee fundraising campaign. This award will be given to Employers Health. Trailblazer celebrates workplaces that increased their level of commitment and support in employee giving by 10% or $1,000 or more. This award will be given to the following companies: Ashley Furniture Homestore – Wellsville Carpet Town, Inc., Canton City Government, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, Coleman Professional Services, CommQuest Services, Inc., Farmers National Bank, Gervasi Vineyard, Lake Local Schools, Macy’s, Mercy Medical Center, Ohio CAT – North Canton, PolyOne Corporation, PTC Alliance, Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Stark County Department of Job & Family Services and The Canton City School District. Chairs Circle celebrates the elite group of companies who have demonstrated their commitment to improving our community through giving, engagement and volunteer leadership. This recognition will be given to the following companies: Aultman Health Foundation, Diebold Nixdorf, H-P Products, Inc., Marathon Petroleum Company LP Ohio Refining Division, Synchrony Financial, The Beaver Excavating Company, The Karcher Group, Timken Company, TimkenSteel Corporation and Williams.
The DeHoff Emerging Philanthropist Award was established in 2010 by Bob and Linda DeHoff to recognize a Stark County resident age 45 and under who impacts Stark County through direct service and volunteer work. The recipient receives $5,000 to be donated to a health and human service 501(c)(3) organization of choice.
2019’s DeHoff Emerging Philanthropist Award will be presented to Angela Palomba. She is a native of Stark County and grew up in Louisville. Angela attended Ohio University and graduated with a sports business degree, then spent thirteen and a half years working for a sports marketing company before taking on the role of Executive Director at The First Tee of Canton. She currently resides in Canton with her husband, Anthony, and son, Luca.
“In the five years I have known Angela, I have seen her passion for the community’s success, not only in her life as the Executive Director of The First Tee of Canton, but in her personal life,” says Mike Walpole of Brewster Cheese & First Tee of Canton. “Angela’s commitment/passion for The First Tee is second to none. She holds true to the nine core values, instills them into youth served by the organization plus projects them in the community and home life. Her career sent her away from home at a young age where she learned the importance of independence, confidence and the knowledge needed to make herself known as a go-to person in the community.”
The Gold Key Service Award was established by United Way of Greater Stark County in 1961 to recognize individuals who have continually demonstrated the highest degree of personal dedication and service in a voluntary capacity. Their contribution of time and talent supports UWGSC’s Bold Goals 2020 in the areas of health, education and financial stability. There will be three recipients this year: Patricia Wackerly, Joseph J. Feltes and Christopher Remark.
Patricia Wackerly is President of the Stark State College Foundation Board and has been involved with the Foundation Board for more than a decade. Patricia supports education and financial stability through scholarships, workforce initiatives, emergency funding and more. She is an advocate for students and believes that every individual in our community should have access to earn an industry-recognized credential, certificate or degree. Patricia has brought businesses to Stark State to learn about the various programs that can connect them to graduates as a talent pipeline for their workforce needs. She also connects people to in-demand jobs, helping build their financial stability. Matching business to Stark State comes naturally to Patty as she has been in the banking industry for 33 years, with 30 of those years spent locally at PNC. She is a Senior Vice President, commercial loan portfolio manager, who understands our local market conditions and works to meet the needs of our area businesses, while delivering exceptional customer service. Patty has been actively involved in the community her entire career, volunteering on boards and assisting with campaigns for agencies such as United Way, Goodwill Industries, Pathway Caring for Children, PNC’s Grow Up Great, St. Thomas Aquinas and North Canton sports’ clubs.
“Patty’s attitude is always can-do. She has an energy that is contagious and pushes us to do more for our students, our employer partners and our community,” says Marisa Rohn of the Stark State College Foundation. “She will come to a meeting at 7 a.m. or stop by the office at 4 p.m. to ensure we are making progress toward our goals. She is one of the most committed volunteers I have ever worked with in my career.”
Joseph J. Feltes is a member of the AultCare Insurance Company Board of Directors and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, in addition to many other boards and community service organizations. He helps provide guidance and strategy for the following organizations: Aultman Health Foundation, Aultcare, Access Health, MEWA, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee in conjunction with Stark Education Partnership, Stark County Educational Service Center and Education Sub-Committee, as well as the Strengthening Stark initiative. Joseph has also contributed to the following organizations over the past 20 years: Pro Football Hall of Fame Centennial Host Committee, Canton Museum of Art, Friends of the Summit, Pregnancy Support Center and Stark County Bar Association.
Nominator Mike Gallina, Vice President of Aultcare states, “Joe’s ‘why’ is centered in his service mindset. He uses his skills and talents to lift others up through these organizations, as well as for organizations who simply want some ‘Joe-time’. He is that good!”
Christopher Remark joined Aultman in 1993 and currently serves in a dual role as the Chief Executive Officer at Aultman Healthcare Delivery System and Chief Executive Officer at Aultman Hospital. In his over 25 years with the organization, he has served in various capacities including Chief Operating Officer, Senior Vice President of Surgical and Ambulatory Services, Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Chief Financial Officer, as well as Chief Operating Officer at Alliance Community Hospital. Chris received both his Bachelor’s in Finance and Masters in Business Administration from Walsh University. He is active in a number of volunteer activities and serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Aultman Health Foundation, Aultman Hospital, Stark Economic Development Board, The Stark State College Foundation, Walsh University and Vizient Central. In addition, Chris serves on the Lake Local School’s Strategic Planning Committee and the Walsh University Deville School of Business Advisory Board. Chris Resides in Uniontown with his wife Stacy and their three children: Katie, Emily and Christopher.
“Chris Remark is a natural leader who continues to lend his time and talents to the United Way mission,” says nominator Jacqueline DeGarmo, President and Founder of Hilliard Jeane, LLC. “As the community board’s vice chair, chair and past chair, his stellar work has been the tireless engine that powered the evolution of our organization and helped to position it as a critical solutions-oriented agency. He convened partners, engaged volunteers and championed the change that would accomplish bold goals for the families in our Stark County community.”
To purchase a ticket to attend our Annual Celebration on March 28, please visit www.uwstark.org/events today.
About United Way of Greater Stark County
United Way of Greater Stark County fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. We win by living United. By forging unlikely partnerships. By finding new solutions to old problems. By mobilizing the best resources. And by inspiring individuals to join the fight against their community’s most daunting social crisis. Our mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities in Greater Stark County. In order to live better, we must live United. For more information about United Way of Greater Stark County visit www.uwstark.org. Offices are at 401 Market Avenue North, Suite 300, Canton, Ohio 44702. (330) 491-0445.