United Way of Martin County held its annual Champions of the Community event on March 27, spotlighting the volunteers, donors, companies and agencies that have made an impact on improving lives in Martin County.

Here is a round-up the key volunteer and special honors from the event:

RESOURCE INVESTMENT CHAMPION: Cheryl Bass, director of the Martin County Community Services Department

Each year, the Resource Investment Committee recruits and trains about 70 volunteers to serve on its Citizen Review Panels. Panelists review applications, visit agencies and then make funding recommendations for agency programs. Cheryl Bass is a longtime member of that committee as well as someone whose passion and commitment to Martin County is evident in all aspects of her daily work. From finding services for unborn infants to facilitating access to care for senior citizens, Cheryl truly knows the importance of investing resources in our community.

MARTIN VOLUNTEERS CHAMPIONS: Tom & Lisa Haley

Martin Volunteers, the volunteer center for United Way of Martin County, honored Tom and Lisa Haley for devoting so much time and energy to volunteer projects over the years – most notably the White Doves Holiday Project. This year, they went above and beyond. Tom and Lisa Haley have been the White Doves co-chairs for the past three years and this year they were also a generous sponsor for the White Doves Grand Opening. They also called upon the expertise of their son, an executive in the toy industry, to identify and remove recalled toys.

MARTIN VOLUNTEERS CHAMPIONS: Palm Cove Women's Club

Palm Cove Women’s Club was honored by Martin Volunteers also for its support of the White Doves Holiday Project. The club adopted White Doves as a designated charity fund-raiser, and the group hosts an annual benefit luncheon each November. This effort is led by the Palm Cove Women’s Club president, Melissa Noyes; its charity director, Debbie Kelley; and social director, Marilyn Haas.

VITA VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION: Roger Jesse and Debbie Connolly

These two volunteers have had a large role in an important effort to help people keep more of the money they work so hard to earn. Over the past three years, United Way has operated Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites, with help and training from the IRS. These VITA sites are operated by volunteers who provide free tax preparation to low-income people, enabling them to access the Earned Income Tax Credit and other benefits, such as child care credits and this year’s economic stimulus payment. Roger Jesse is the site coordinator for the Hobe Sound VITA site, and Debbie Connolly is the site coordinator in Stuart.

CHARACTER COUNTS! CHAMPIONS: John Pierson's Toyota of Stuart

CHARACTER COUNTS!, a program of United Way of Martin County, honored John Pierson’s Toyota of Stuart for its generous financial support and commitment to all the traits for which CHARACTER COUNTS! stands. Toyota of Stuart also is a sponsor of the Tee It Up for Character Charity Golf Tournament and presenting sponsor of the Joe Kordick Youth Character Awards.

COMMUNICATIONS CHAMPION: Bryan Garner, Treasure Coast bureau chief for Newschannel 5

Mr. Garner went out of his way to record the voice-over for the United Way of Martin County local video, an important campaign tool. This also was the fifth year he has lent his professionalism as emcee at the Champions of the Community event. Beyond that, he is a positive force on the airwaves, enthusiastically covering and encouraging the events conducted by local agencies.

AGENCY SPIRIT AWARD: 2-1-1

2-1-1 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast is a United Way affiliated agency that has access to more than 4,000 programs to help connect people in our community to the help they need. The representatives of 2-1-1 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast also have been an immense resource to the United Way. In particular, Tara Martin, the community relations specialist for Martin County, assisted at countless United Way events, speaking engagements and agency fairs this year.

SPONSORS

Sponsors of the event included Bank of America, Florida Power & Light, Forest Hills Memorial Park & Funeral Home and Pratt & Whitney.

For more information about United Way of Martin County, call (772) 283-4800 or visit www.unitedwaymartincounty.org.