The
Washington County Community Foundation (WCCF) is pleased to announce the 2007
Philanthropist of the Year, Genevieve Russell of Hickory, PA. Mrs.
Russell’s generosity to the community will be recognized at the WCCF’s annual
Philanthropist of the Year Banquet on Friday, November 16, 2007, at
the Southpointe Golf Club. She joins a very distinguished list of previous
honorees which includes: Pete Cameron, Thomas R. Milhollan, E. Ronald
Salvitti, MD, John L.S. Northrop and William B. Northrop, Frank Sarris, Joseph
Hardy, III, Melvin and Lillian Bassi, and Charles and Carol Keller.
The WCCF, a 501(c) (3) charitable corporation with assets in excess of $5 million, is concerned with the promotion and facilitation of local philanthropy. The Foundation created the Philanthropist of the Year award in 1999 to recognize a local philanthropist for exceptional generosity to the Washington County Community. The award is normally presented during National Community Foundation week which falls in the middle of November. Criteria for the award are as follows:
v Demonstrated exceptional generosity and civic responsibility in providing financial support and leadership to a local non-profit cause
v Helped to improve the quality of life in the Washington County community through a commitment of leadership to a non profit cause
v By example encouraged and motivated others to support a philanthropic cause
v Contributed significantly to other community efforts
v Advance philanthropy in general
A review of Mrs. Russell’s past and ongoing participation with area charities will illustrate that she is more than worthy of this prestigious award. She has been particularly active with her church, the First Presbyterian Church of Washington where she is a Past Elder and Deacon. Mrs. Russell taught Sunday school for many years, sang in the choir, and was the Chair of the Kitchen Committee. At Thanksgiving time she has worked in the Church’s “Feeding of the 500” project to provide a free turkey dinner to the area’s needy. And at Christmas time she volunteers for the “Candlelight Service” which is open to the community.
Anyone who has ever lived in Hickory knows that fall is the time for the annual Hickory Apple Festival and for years Gen could be seen working the apple butter stand at the Festival. She is also a Past President and Treasurer of the Hickory Women’s Club. Gen currently volunteers on the WCCF’s Women of Philanthropy Committee which has worked this year to raise money and awareness of the Foundation’s Mother's Fund, which supports disadvantaged women and children in Washington County. You may have seen her working a booth at the Wild Thing’s Tribute to Moms this summer or at the Women of Wisdom / Athena Luncheon held recently in partnership with the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. Both events were part of the WCCF’s year-long celebration of the Women of Philanthropy. The Russell Family Fund which is being created as part of the Philanthropist of the Year Award, will support the activities of the Mother's Fund.
In addition to volunteering, Gen has also financially supported her church, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Presbyterian Senior Care, United Way of Washington County, and the Washington Hospital Foundation.
Gen recently attended her 60th Class Reunion from Washington High School. She moved to Washington from Archibald, PA where she was born. Both her parents were born in Italy before immigrating to the United States for employment opportunities.
Described as an “Angel” by WCCF Trustee, Bill Campbell and his wife Carolyn, Gen is known for her positive attitude and love of life, despite having experienced overwhelming tragedies in her lifetime. Her first husband, Richard Arent, was killed in a plane crash while serving in the United States Navy. She delivered their daughter Pamela two weeks after burying her husband.
Gen returned to the workforce and obtained a position at PNC Bank where she met her second husband, W. Scott Russell. She and Mr. Russell, an Executive Vice President at PNC Bank, had three children, Scott, Ronald and Marianne. Tragically, Mr. Russell and their son Ron, were killed in a car wreck while returning from a fishing trip in Buffalo, NY.
As a permanent memorial to them and to provide further support to area charities, Gen has created two separate funds at the WCCF. The W. Scott Russell Fund, created in 2003, supports the music program at the First Presbyterian Church in Washington. The Ronald M. Russell Fund, created earlier this year, is a discretionary fund to which any charity serving Washington County may apply.
To purchase tickets to the November 16 banquet please contact the Washington County Community Foundation at 724-222-6330 or info@wccf.net.