History & Award Recipients
Since our founding in 1955, hundreds of volunteers have come together each year with one purpose in mind: to meet the needs of the community! The consistent, tireless efforts and unified strength of this organization’s volunteers serve as the backbone of each successful fund-raising campaign year after year. The United Way of Hamblen County has recognized the hard work and dedication of its volunteers throughout its existence, but decided to formally honor an individual volunteer each year who exceeds the call of duty, going above and beyond the average expectation.
First presented in 1976, the award is named for Joe Q. Dougherty, a long-time volunteer with us and employee of the award’s original sponsor, American Enka. Dougherty served as President of the “United Fund” (our name for a few years) Board of Directors in 1959 and Campaign Chairman in 1961. We present this award at our Annual Meeting at the culmination of the campaign as a prestigious way to say THANK YOU for all that you do — because we couldn’t do all that WE do without YOU.
2023 – Larry Swinson
2022 – Kaye Schwalb
2021 – Don Needham
2020 – Deana Greenlee
2019 – Shirley Holt
2018 – Cookie Larkin
2017 – William T. Hale
2016 – Noel Montepeque
2015 – Terry Hackney
2014 – Bill Taylor
2013 – Reuben Couch
2012 – Linda Raley
2011 – Kathleen Grondin
2010 – Brian Robinson
2009 – Paul & Mary Rohe
2008 – Donald C. Rogers
2007 – Mabel Tews
2006 – Eugene Smith
2005 – Jimmy Peoples
2004 – John R. Johnson
2003 – Ann Cranford
2002 – Beulah Looney
2001 – Willie P. Osborne
2000 – Ray Bible
1999 – Marie Williams
1998 – Crampton Helms
1997 – Jeanie Hale
1996 – Paul Lash
1995 – Myrna Marshall
1994 – H.C. House
1993 – Linda Raines
1992 – Herbert M. Bacon
1991 – Judge James E. Beckner
1990 – Catherine B. Scott
1989 – Louis “Smokey” Oats
1988 – Norah E. Hut
1987 – Frances Hale
1986 – Lawrence ‘Larry’ W. Whalen, Jr.
1985 – Rev. Woody Finley
1984 – Darrell Bentley
1983 – Ethelynn A. Rouse
1982 – Joe McGill
1981 – Dr. William J. Rooney
1980 – Mrs. Johnny (Joann) Hale
1979 – George S. Hale, Jr.
1978 – Mrs. Lloyd (Mary) Quick
1977 – Howard Westhaver
1976 – Tom Sutherland