Nominate Volunteers for 2021 Gold Key and DeHoff Emerging Philanthropist Awards

(Canton, OH) December 14, 2020 – Nominations are now open for United Way of Greater Stark County’s 2021 Gold Key Service and DeHoff Emerging Philanthropist awards. Deadline for submissions is Friday, January 29, 2020 at noon.

United Way is proud to recognize residents who demonstrate the highest level of dedication and service to the community.

“This is an opportune time to recognize an inspirational volunteer in your life,” says Maria Heege, United Way of Greater Stark County’s President & CEO. “These are the people who bring positive change to our community. If you are lucky enough to have a friend, family member or co-worker who has that special spark of giving back, now is the time to give them praise. Sing the song of an unsung hero and let us know how proud of them you are. Help us recognize them because they deserve to be recognized. Share with us why they inspire and motivate you and the community. Nominating someone for an award is a great way to promote the good work that is going on in our community, and who doesn’t want to hear something good right now?”

Gold Key Service Award: For almost sixty years, since 1961, United Way’s Gold Key Service Awards have recognized community leaders and volunteers for their positive impact via work through United Way partner programs or through the established United Way impact areas of health, education and financial stability. These individuals have continually demonstrated the highest degree of personal dedication and service in a voluntary capacity. Awards winners from last year included Jacqueline DeGarmo, President and Founder of Hilliard Jeane; Amy Mast, Owner and President of Talent Results Consulting, LLC; Mike Patterson, former editor of The Review and community volunteer. uwstark.org/goldkeyaward

DeHoff Emerging Philanthropist Award: For ten years, since 2010, United Way’s DeHoff Emerging Philanthropist Award has recognized a community resident, age 45 and under, who takes personal action to positively impact our community through direct service and volunteer work. The recipient of the DeHoff award receives $5,000 to be donated to a health and human services 501(c)(3) organization of the award recipient’s choice. The award honors two of United Way’s most dedicated campaign volunteers, Bob and Linda DeHoff, who have been involved in numerous fundraising initiatives benefitting Stark County residents. The couple received a Gold Key Service Award in 2006 and The Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Outstanding Philanthropist Northeast Ohio 2017 Award. Alexis Nicholis Coon, Executive Director at Massillon Museum was presented the award this past year. uwstark.org/dehoffaward

Individuals who receive a Gold Key or DeHoff award will be invited to virtually attend United Way’s Annual Celebration in Spring 2021, where they will be presented with their awards.

For more information regarding these awards, please visit uwstark.org/service-awards

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 the quality of life in our communities by leading in the development of solutions to critical social issues in the areas of health, education and financial stability. In order to live better, we must live United. For more information about United Way of Greater Stark County visit uwstark.org. Offices are at 401 Market Avenue North, Suite 300, Canton, Ohio 44702. (330) 491-0445.