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Frank Grady Outstanding Professional Award
The Frank Grady Outstanding Professional Award is presented to an individual who shows an exemplary commitment to service in our community. This award is based on an individual’s commitment, leadership, creativity and accomplishments.

Scott Spangler, president and CEO of Family & Children Services of Central Pennsylvania, accepts the Frank Grady Outstanding Professional Award for his service to the community.
 

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Humanitarian Award
United Way of the Capital Region's Alexis de Tocqueville Society annually presents the Humanitarian Award, which honors individuals who provide outstanding voluntary service to the community. The Humanitarian Award is presented to a community leader who meets the following seven criteria:

• a commitment to voluntary systems of human services;
• creative in his or her approach to serving the community;
• outstanding in providing leadership and working with others;
• provides sustained service over a period of years;
• inspirational in encouraging others to serve;
• actions have had or will have a major impact on changing and saving lives; and,
• produces results that are clearly visible and tangible.

Hasu P. and Hersha H. Shah, 2007 recipients of the Humanitarian Award, truly define what it means to be living legacies. Their dedication to improving the human condition locally and globally is one of their greatest, and many, achievements. They have woven their sense of community service into every facet of their lives.

The Shah’s moved to Harrisburg in 1968 when Hasu accepted a position as an engineer with the Commonwealth. It was during Hasu’s time at the state that the couple began their sustained service to our community by supporting UWCR. The couple are now members of the Tocqueville Society.

Over the next 18 years, Hasu and Hersha purchased, renovated, and sold local properties. A defining moment in their careers came when they purchased a hotel on Front Street in Harrisburg. The success of this hotel served as a spring board for the couple to concentrate on their hospitality efforts full-time.

Today the Hersha Group of Companies includes several affiliated real estate development and hotel companies, including Hersha Hospitality Trust, a publicly traded company since 1999. The company’s headquarters are located on Front Street in Harrisburg, less than two miles from one of the Shah’s first hotels.

Since moving to Harrisburg, Hasu has sought out innovative and creative ways to improve the community. He has put his natural business and leadership skills into action by serving on many non-profit boards to include The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, Holy Spirit Hospital, American Red Cross of the Susquehanna Valley, Capital Region Chamber of Commerce, and the Minority Purchasing Council of Central Pennsylvania. Hasu and Hersha are both founding members of the Harrisburg Riverboat Society.

Lifelong believers in the value of education, Hasu and Hersha created and endowed the Hersha H. and Hasu P. Shah Program of Hospitality and Lodging Management at Harrisburg Area Community College. The program includes scholarship funds, internship opportunities, and an award to the top student graduating from the program. The Shah’s also support the “Best and Brightest” program sponsored each spring by the Patriot-News.

Healthcare for those in need is an issue the Shah’s believe in passionately. In 2005, they donated the necessary funds to develop a hospital in Gujarat, India, which now bears their name. Also that year, the Shah’s established the Shree Krishna Foundation to provide eyesight to one million disadvantaged blind people living in India. Hasu and Hersha return to India annually the help provide hands-on support of the Foundation’s efforts.

Building relationships within the local Hindu community is yet another area where the Shah’s have provided outstanding leadership to produce tangible results. Hasu and Hersha founded the Hindu American Religious Institute (H.A.R.I.) in New Cumberland, PA. The temple serves more than 900 local Hindu families, and is the third oldest Hindu temple in the United States.

As the Shah’s continue their charitable work, local and global communities will continue to become better places to live. For their lifetime of community service, Hasu and Hersha Shah are true humanitarians.
 

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The President's Award
The President’s Award is given to an organization or individual who demonstrates a long-term commitment to help UWCR succeed.

Chairman, President, and CEO of Rite Aid, Mary Sammons, received the 2008 President’s Award for her outstanding support of Rite Aid’s UWCR campaign.

Sammons dedication to a successful campaign included: personally leading management staff meetings, providing a Leadership thank you reception with her own resources, discount days for employees who donate to UWCR, and personally serving donuts and milk to thank employees for their donations.

Thanks to Sammons’ dedication, Rite Aid raised more than $675,000 in 2007, making it the largest contributor ever to a UWCR campaign.
 

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Excellence in Leadership Award
The Excellence in Leadership Award is presented to a company or individual for demonstrating the highest standards in service to United Way of the Capital Region and the community.

Brian Jackson, Esq. (left), a partner with McNees, Wallace & Nurick LLC, accepts the Excellence in Leadership Award for the firm.

McNees, Wallace & Nurick LLC received the Excellence in Leadership Award at UWCR’s annual dinner in Harrisburg for the following reasons:

• Several company employees hold volunteer roles within UWCR, including: Brian Jackson, Esq., who is on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and who chairs the Nominating Committee. Seventeen McNees, Wallace & Nurick employees belong to UWCR’s Women’s Leadership and 13 employees belong to the Bridges Society, a network of donors age 45 and under. Representatives from the firm volunteer also serve on UWCR’s fund distribution panel and Volunteer Center Advisory Committee.
• The firm provides human resource training for UWCR staff members at no charge.
• McNees, Wallace & Nurick also provides financial support for special initiatives. The firm helps sponsor UWCR’s Women’s Leadership Network and has supported United Way’s Annual Barn Party, which raises funds for the Volunteer Center.
• Over the last four years the firm’s campaign has nearly doubled growing from $44,000 to $82,000. In addition the number of leadership givers, donors contributing $1,000 or more to the campaign, has grown from 21 to 42.

 

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UWCR Labor Award
The UWCR Labor Award is presented annually to a union member who shows commitment to leadership and service through volunteerism. Criteria for this award include outstanding creativity, accomplishment and inspiration.

Lorena Cutshall (left) of AFSCME, Local 2523, and Donna Hopple (right) of BCTGM, Local 464, accept the 2007 Labor Award from Joseph M. Capita, president and CEO of UWCR. Both women received the award for their volunteerism in the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina.