United Way of San Diego County Recognizes Outstanding Community Service

SAN DIEGO - Sept. 23, 2013 - PRLog -- United Way of San Diego County has announced Art Hughes and Stephen K. Smurthwaite as award winners for consistently outstanding community leadership and volunteerism. They will be honored during the nonprofit's annual campaign kickoff on Sept. 17 at NTC Liberty Station.

“Through ‘Collective Impact’ and other all-community encompassing approaches, United Way brings togetherthe passion, experience and resources needed to make a positive difference,” said President and CEO Doug Sawyer. “This year’s winners of the James F. Mulvaney Award and the Volunteer of the year Naish Award are role models in our community for all of us to aspire to.”

United Way’s kickoff also recognizes local organizations that have made incredible efforts to give back to the San Diego community through their United Way/CHAD Workplace campaigns.

Winners are:

James F. Mulvaney Community Leadership Award

Author (Art) E. Hughes is the recipient of the fourth annual James F. Mulvaney Community Leadership Award, given to a local leader who has demonstrated long-lasting, exceptional service to the San Diego community. The award is named for James (Jim) Mulvaney who maintained involvement in numerous nonprofit boards and organizations for 50 years.

During his time in San Diego, in addition to serving on the board of directors for United Way of San DiegoCounty, Hughes has actively contributed as a director forthe Union Bank of California, San Diego Chamber of Commerce, the Mingei International Museum, the San Diego Symphony Association, The American Cancer Society, the White House Fellowship Commission, Energy 2000 and the San Diego Charter Review. He also served as the founding board chairman of the College Access Foundation of California, enacted to provide need-based financial assistance to college students. Currently, Hughes is president emeritus of the University of San Diego, after serving as president from June 1971 to June 1995.

“I am truly appreciative of this award and honored to receive it,” said Hughes. “I am most thankful for all that this community has given me in return.”

“Volunteer of the Year” Naish Award

The “Volunteer of the Year” Award, given to Stephen K. Smurthwaite, recognizes an individual who has made a significant and sustained contribution to United Way as a volunteer and commemorates the extraordinary commitment of Jack Naish, a former board member and creative leader. Smurthwaite’s daughter, Holly Smurthwaite, will be traveling from Chicago to accept the award on his behalf.

Starting in 2003 Smurthwaite served United Way as a member on a variety of the organization’s boards, including the board of directors, Human Resources Committee, the Designations Task Force, Community Impact Ad Hoc Committee, Executive Search Committee and Executive Committee. He also chaired both the Campaign Cabinet and the Focus Area Selection Committee.

About United Way of San Diego County

United Way of San Diego County is part of a network of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways around the world. Locally, United Way is creating sustainable change in the areas of education, income, health and homelessness. In addition to the Bright Futures financial selfsufficiency initiative, we are leading the effort to end chronic homelessness through Home Again, a public engagement campaign, and Project 25, which focuses on the most costly and vulnerable homeless individuals. United Way is a key partner in a number of Education initiatives throughout the county. We harness the collective power of non-profits, community leaders and thousands of individuals to create change by giving, advocating and volunteering. LIVE UNITED is a call to action for everyone to get involved. To learn more, visit http://www.uwsd.org, our Blog, Facebook and Twitter.