Local philanthropists win awards at Celebration of Community Dinner

Three local philanthropists were honored at the Celebration of Community Dinner sponsored by the North Georgia Community Foundation at the Gainesville Civic Center on Thursday.

Community volunteer Jim Moore was presented with the Woodrow Stewart Leadership in Philanthropy Award, Hall County native Brett Fowler received the inaugural Gus Whalen Young Philanthropy Award and longtime Community Foundation leader Jim Mathis was given a special tribute to celebrate his eighteen years of service.

Mathis, who recently announced his retirement, said all the showing of support was ‘a lot overwhelming.’

As for Moore, the longtime community volunteer has offered his leadership to countless organizations in the region, but most of his volunteer service has been through The Medical Center Foundation and Northeast Georgia Health System as he has worked to secure $15 million to benefit numerous hospital and community projects through the Healthy Journey Campaign.

In fact, Moore was handpicked by the late Woody Stewart, for whom the award is named after, to succeed him as the chairman of The Medical Center Foundation in 2012.

“It’s very special because Woody was a good friend of mine,” Moore said. “Not only was he my legal council, but he provided a lot of guidance through some of life’s choices that we have to make.”

The Gus Whalen Young Philanthropist Award is a new award designed to recognize those between the ages of 18 and 30 for their desire to enhance the quality of life in the local community through volunteer service.

Fowler's list of community involvement includes the Gainesville Jaycees, United Way of Hall County, Main Street Gainesville, Georgia Mountain Food Bank, Gainesville First United Methodist Church, the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and many other organizations.

“It’s definitely an honor to be the first receipt of an award,” said Fowler, a University of Georgia graduate. “Just to be even mentioned in the same ranks as the other people getting honored tonight, it’s something that I couldn’t have even guessed would happen, but I’m glad to definitely be receiving it.”

Jim Mathis, center, was paid special tribute as he is retiring after 18 years as the Community Foundation leader.

Live entertainment on the front porch of the Gainesville Civic Center during the reception for the Celebration of Community Dinner.

Jim Moore was presented with the Woodrow Stewart Leadership in Philanthropy Award at the Celebration of Community Dinner sponsored by the North Georgia Community Foundation.

Guests have fun with a photo booth set up on the lawn of the Gainesville Civic Center.

Brett Fowler, center, won the Gus Whalen Young Philanthropist Award.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/10/457803