Page 3 - Martin Downs Bulletin - April '25

Martin Downs, Page 3

United Way Foundation from page 1

in our lives, and we believe
it’s our responsibility to pay
that forward in every way
we can.”
The award was named in
honor of the famed singer,
actress, philanthropist and Table display and program
longtime resident of Martin booklets
County, Frances Langford
who trusted United Way and Audrey Crandall and
with the dual mandate of Bob Crandall; and to our Thank you, sponsors! Custom UWMC cookies done
transforming lives and additional sponsors who Charlie and Gerry Ruibal by Sailfish Point
fortifying community helped make this event possible: Betsy Herold, Bill
bonds. Frances also served Cheryl Paul and Elliot Paul, Lichtenberger, Seacoast Wealth Management, Bob
as the pioneering chair of UWMC board chair Weissman, Wilmington Trust, Carol Webb, HBK CPAs &
the Alexis de Tocqueville Consultants and HBKS Wealth Advisors, SouthState, Bank
Society, igniting a legacy of leadership. Her dedication and of America Private Bank, Keane Thomas & Pinnacoli and
commitment to community advancement has played an Sandhill Cove.
integral role in shaping the organization into the agent of For more information about United Way of Martin County
change it is today. Foundation, please visit UnitedWayMartin.org/Foundation.
Previous Frances Langford Humanitarian Award recipients
include:
• 2024 – Betsy Herold
• 2022 – Bob and Karen Croce
• 2021 – Fred and Betty Kopf*
• 2020 – John and Linda Loewenberg
• 2019 – Joe and Margaret Richebourg Temple* Nancy Parlin and Linda Ted Brown, Wilmington Trust
• 2018 – Bob and Jan* Crandall/Bill and Audrey Crandall Gambardella and Rich Mishock, HBK HBKS
• 2017 – H. William Lichtenberger
• 2016 – John* and Susan Sullivan
• 2015 – Douglass* and Patricia Stewart
• 2014 – Prestley* and Helen Blake
• 2013 – Barbara Briggs Trimble*
• 2011 – Robert and Carol* Weissman
*Passed away
During the reception, the foundation shared updates John and Muffin Adamiak giving a speech after receiving the
on the United Way of Martin County’s impactful efforts Frances Langford Humanitarian Award for their outstanding
to address transportation, service to our community
disaster recovery and
mental health. Thanks to
initiatives like Ride United,
transportation is no longer
one of the top 10 unmet Robert Barfield, Denise Anderson, Angela Beausoleil, Marco
needs in Martin County. Violante, Sarah Lynch, Phillip Dasch, Patty McAuley
Additionally, United Way
was chosen by the county’s
emergency operations center
to serve as the central hub for
disaster recovery efforts. The
United Way is also focused
on bridging the gap in mental
health services left by the The Frances Langford
closure of Suncoast Mental Humanitarian Award, a
Health Center. signature sculpture piece by Natalie Desmangles, Vitas Healthcare and UWMC board
Thank you to our Geoffrey C. Smith specifically member; Randy Pennington, SouthState and UWMCF board
Reception Sponsors Bill designed for the UWMCF member; Amy Bottegal, SouthState and UWMC board vice chair

Geoffrey C. Smith, Frances Langford Award Sculptor; Aleta
Smith; Allen Herskowitz

John Adamiak; Phil Wintercorn, Wilmington Trust; and
Dennis Longstreet

Guests enjoying the program