HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Established in 2007, the Humanitarian Award recognizes individuals, projects or groups that have made outstanding contributions in the community. The award is given annually and its recipient honored at the Canopy Realtor® Association / Canopy MLS Holiday Awards Luncheon & Annual Meeting in December. Upon winning the award, recipients may designate a nonprofit organization of their choice to receive up to $5,000 from the foundation. Since 2007 the foundation has returned $56,520 to community organizations through this program.
Nominations for the 2024 Humanitarian Award have closed. The winner of the 2024 Humanitarian Award will be announced at this year’s Holiday Awards Luncheon & Annual Meeting in December.
At the Canopy Holiday Luncheon & Annual Meeting, the 2023 Humanitarian Award was presented to Charles A. Odell, President & CEO of the Dilworth Center.
Charles Odell has worked tirelessly for over 40 years to satisfy the huge community need for people seeking recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, positively impacting our community by treating, educating, and fundraising for thousands of community members through the Dilworth Center and through his personal endeavors.
2023 Humanitarian Award winner
Charles A. Odell, President & CEO – Dilworth Center
Humanitarian Award recipients
2021: Patti and Gary West
Patti and Gary West founded Fifth Street Ministry, which began as a clothing and supply closet in 1989, and have dedicated themselves to developing it into the only agency in Iredell County offering shelter services, domestic violence shelter, Veterans transitional housing, as well as outreach and comprehensive supportive services to the chronically homeless.
2020: Rick Gilbert
Rick Gilbert is the founder of Home Again Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing sustainable, affordable housing with supportive services for the homeless and those who are at risk of becoming homeless.
2019: Amy and Nancy DeCaron
Amy and Nancy DeCaron are the founders of Hope of Mooresville (HOMe), which serves as the only temporary housing facility for women and children experiencing homelessness in Mooresville.
2018 Erin Santos
Santos established the Isabella Santos Foundation to raise awareness and funding for research and a cure to neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer that ended the young life of their daughter, Isabella.
2017: Shaun “Lucky” Corbett
As owner and principal barber of Da Lucky Spot Barbershop, his work with the “Cops & Barbers” initiative increases dialogue and creates relationships between the community and police departments.
2016: Don Gately
As Executive Director of the CrossRoads Corporation for Affordable Housing and Community Development, Gately has led the formation of multiple projects that have helped to elevate the quality of life in the Grier Heights Community.
2015: John T. Crawford
Crawford was honored for his work establishing the Charlotte Housing Authority Scholarship fund.
2014: Otis Crowder
Crowder is the owner of Crowder Construction and was acknowledged for his work with several nonprofits, including Community Link, an area nonprofit committed to assisting individuals and families in obtaining safe and affordable housing.
2013: Curt Seifart
Seifart, a 13-year real estate veteran, is a volunteer broker for the Crossroads Corp. for Affordable Housing and Community Development, which has been instrumental in the revitalization efforts in the the Grier Heights neighborhood.
2012: Bob Bishop
Bishop was honored for his devotion to Men’s Shelter, McCreesh Place, Lakewood Community Alliance, Urban Ministries and other local organizations.
2011: Ginger Dowdle
Dowdle is founder and benefactor of The Shepherd’s Watch, a summer camp devoted to children who age out of the foster care system.
2010: Kids First of the Carolinas
Kids First of the Carolinas has helped thousands of local children and families over the past 20 years by providing shelter, clothing, furniture and appliances, school supplies, medicine, holiday meals, toys for Christmas, and more.
2009: Rev. George Cook Jr.
Cook Jr., senior pastor at the Greater Mount Sinai Baptist Church, exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism within this community.
2008: Davidson Housing Coalition’s Hands Around Mecklenburg/Mooresville Making Emergency Repairs Safely (HAMMERS) program
Davidson Housing Coalition’s Hands Around Mecklenburg/Mooresville Making Emergency Repairs Safely (HAMMERS) program helps to address the prevalence of substandard housing and works toward the preservation of existing affordable housing in the community.
2007: David Barnhardt
Barnhardt, a 23-year real estate veteran, was honored for his work as an active philanthropist.