United Way honored members of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society during a recent reception at Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club.

Seacoast National Bank sponsored “Cocktails on the Harbour,” an exclusive event that recognized the most generous United Way donors for their exceptional philanthropy to Martin and St. Lucie counties

Guests were entertained by French nobleman Alexis Charles-Henri Clerel de Tocqueville, who traveled through time to share stories of his journey throughout the United States in 1831. The Society was named for Tocqueville, who authored the two-volume Democracy in America and admired the American spirit of volunteerism and commitment to the common good. 

The highlight of the Harbour Ridge event Nov. 14 was the presentation of the 2006 Alexis de Tocqueville Award to Carol and Bob Weissman. This prestigious award is the highest honor a local United Way can bestow. More than 80 guests joined Wendy and Denny Hudson, 2006 co-chairs of the Tocqueville Society, in congratulating the Weissmans.

“Carol and Bob are very deserving of this award,” said Denny Hudson, chairman and CEO of Seacoast National Bank. “They are longtime members of the Tocqueville Society and through the years have made significant gifts to a variety of organizations, including the United Way Foundations of Martin and St. Lucie counties, the Florida Oceanographic Society and the Martin Memorial Hospital Foundation. The Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center in Stuart has been named in their honor.”

The Alexis de Tocqueville award is presented to an individual or couple who have provided outstanding volunteer service and philanthropy to the community.  Former recipients of the award include Frances Langford Stuart, Bobbie and Edward Trimble, Susan and John Sullivan, Phyllis and Joseph Kordick, Sister Teresa Auad, Joy and Pete Funston, Ruth and Kenneth Horsburgh, Maralyn and Mike Reilly, and Priscilla and Chuck Sawicki.

The Alexis de Tocqueville Society is a national society created by United Way of America to recognize and honor individuals who have made extraordinary gifts to their communities through United Way.  Membership in the Tocqueville Society is open to all individuals who support the community by contributing $10,000 or more annually to United Way.  

For more information about United Way of Martin County, please call (772) 288-4800 or visit www.unitedwaymartincounty.org.

For more information about United Way of St. Lucie County, please call (772) 464-5300 or visit www.unitedwayslc.org.