By Bob Bloss
(From left) Robert L. Horne, executive director of the Fall River (Massachusetts) United Way, accepted The Rough Notes Company's $5,000 donation in honor of this year's Community Service Award winner, Giroux-Audet-Rua Insurance Agency, represented by Jack and Jason Rua (second and fourth from left, respectively) and presented by Bob Kretzmer (third from left) at February's award ceremonies in Indianapolis.
When The Rough Notes Company's industry award for volunteerism was conceived three years ago, it's likely that the originators envisioned recognizing an honoree exactly like this year's winner.
Thus, for extraordinary effort and support in behalf of programs that benefit a community and its citizens, we proudly salute the Giroux-Audet-Rua Insurance Agency of Fall River, Massachusetts, with the prestigious Rough Notes 2003 Community Service Award.
Two of the firm's partners, brothers Jack and Jason Rua, represented their agency at recent ceremonies in Indianapolis. Honorable Mention recipients agent Gary Stewart and the Bates & Hewett Insurance Agency were also highlighted.
Giroux-Audet-Rua, which traces its history to the 1908 establishment of the A.L. Audet Insurance Agency, has operated in its present structure since 1989 when current agency president John S. Rua, father of Jack and Jason, merged his company with Giroux-Audet. Chris Audet, of the founding family's third generation, is a vice president and partner.
As a prominent Fall River civic leader, the agency contributes time, revenue and educational effort to dozens of community programs. Among them is United Way of Greater Fall River, Giroux-Audet-Rua's designated charity and recipient of the $5,000 check that The Rough Notes Company annually presents in the Community Service Award winner's name. The winner receives a beautiful, sculpted eagle in recognition of contributions to the local community.
Robert L. Horne, executive director of the Fall River United Way, offered high praise to the Rua brothers and their agency for their long-standing service.
"We at the United Way are fortunate to be recipients of the time, talent and treasure of these outstanding community leaders, Jack and Jason Rua, and from the generosity of their dad and the other principals and employees of their agency," Horne shared at the awards presentation.
"I can think of no other organization that is more qualified to receive recognition for their commitment to those in need. With their many volunteer and financial commitments, the Rua brothers make a real, positive difference to our United Way and to the entire Greater Fall River area."
Horne cites Jack Rua's chairmanship of the annual fund-raising campaign that in 1998 generated revenue of more than $2 million. Currently Jack is a United Way Board of Directors vice president and a member of the finance and advisory committee. Jason Rua chairs the strategic planning committee and was recently chairman of the executive allocation committee. "My brother raised the monies," smiles Jason, "then I gave them out."
While the United Way receives a large share of the brothers' attention, it is by no means the sole recipient of the Giroux-Audet-Rua agency's philanthropy.
Beyond his United Way responsibilities, Jason Rua has been vice president and treasurer for The Marine Museum in Fall River, a coach in the Somerset Little League and the Somerset/Swansea Youth Soccer League, a member of his local elementary school council, and a recipient of Fall River's Brayton Community Service award in 2002. Professionally, Jason is a member of the Agents Council of the East Providence Branch of Providence Washington Insurance Company and is a guest lecturer to that company's employees on the subject of agency procedures.
Jack Rua began his insurance career in 1986 and has been active with the Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as with United Way, ever since. He has chaired several chamber committees, including its membership drive, which attracted 175 new members in 1999. In addition to his success as United Way fund-raising chairman, Jack served as the organization's secretary for many years and is presently vice president and a member of the research and planning committee, the United Way's Lantern Society, and its Campaign Millennium.
(Left) Walter J. Gdowski, president/CEO of The Rough Notes Company, and Bob Kretzmer (right) congratulate Community Service Award Honorable Mention recipient C. Gary Stewart.
Among the several prestigious honors earned by Jack is the Thomas F. Cooney Memorial Award for outstanding volunteerism during that successful 1998 fund-raising campaign. He was cited as Hometown Hero in 1997, and, as was his brother in 2002, Jack was the 1995 John S. Brayton Memorial Outstanding Community Service Recognition Award winner. In his spare time he has served as an officer or board member for many community groups, such as youth football, baseball, and basketball programs; Marine Museum at Fall River; Fall River Lions Club; International Trade Assistance Center; Friends of Heritage State Park; SouthCoast Development Partnership; and the Chamber Foundation.
One of the organizations receiving United Way funding is the Diabetes Association, Inc. Jack Rua is a past president and current board member. The Diabetes Association is especially close to Jack's heart. And to his family's.
Jack and his wife, Darlene, have two children--John and Jocelyn. John was afflicted with diabetes when he was very young. Fortunately he began treatments immediately, has continued with them over the years, and is an enthusiastic 18-year old engaged in typical scholastic and athletic activities.
"It's ironic," says Jack. "Here, I was raising funds for the United Way and never giving a thought that one day my family might be in need of one of its agency's services. But, sure enough, we did need their help. The Diabetes Association, with the research it conducts and the educational messages it delivers, helps diabetics live normal, useful and fulfilling lives. It's an extremely important United Way agency."
The Rua firm represents the kind of community service that the award's executive director, Robert N. Kretzmer, CIC, had in mind when he and The Rough Notes Company collaborated in 2000 to create this distinctive insurance industry accolade. Kretzmer, vice president of Inner Harbour Insurance Agency in Bethesda, Maryland, says that honoring independent insurance agents, brokers and agencies who go the extra mile provides positive visibility for their many good deeds delivered daily throughout the United States. Such national recognition, Kretzmer believes, not only duly honors the nominated agencies and individuals, but encourages other insurance men and women to pursue similar types of community involvement.
This was the Rua brothers' response when asked what inspired them to devote so much time and talent to community service: "We learned, at a young age, that our mother and dad did their part as good citizens to make our environment a comfortable place in which to grow up. Now, we pitch in where we can to make our communities a better place for families to grow."
That modesty is characteristic of Rough Notes Community Service honorees. The two 2003 Honorable Mention winners also are typical examples.
C. Gary Stewart, recognized for 21 years of continuing efforts in behalf of the American Cancer Society, is owner of Stewart Insurance Agency, Inc., in Florence, Kentucky. In introducing Stewart at the awards ceremonies, Kretzmer quoted Anne M. Maxfield, executive director of the American Cancer Society's Northern Kentucky Office: "Mr. Stewart is relentless in his pursuit of finding a cure for cancer. He's selfless with his time, talent and energy, and is a man of personal and professional integrity."
Stewart has long been involved in community service. He was governor of Rotary International in 1989 and 1990 and was a lieutenant governor of Kiwanis International with whom he is currently Boone County, Kentucky, president. As Rotary governor he traveled extensively to regional meetings.
Those Rotary visits, he says, provided a great opportunity to talk about the American Cancer Society and to promote the importance of men scheduling regular prostate checkups.
"My good friend, a school principal, took my advice and had a checkup which discovered prostate cancer in a very early stage. He underwent successful surgery and was cured. When his wife told me I saved his life--the doctors did that, not me--it motivated me to no end. I'm told that about 20 men learned of their prostate cancer when examined after hearing one of our talks," Stewart explains.
For his myriad efforts and accomplishments, Stewart has received numerous accolades including the ACS's "Above and Beyond the Call of Duty" award for Kentucky.
Despite his charitable achievements, Gary admits feeling guilty that he didn't take a greater role in fighting diabetes because "... Mother, Dad and two brothers died of diabetes recently. But God put me here for a reason, and I will continue with the American Cancer Society for the rest of my life."
This year's other Honorable Mention awardee was Bates & Hewett Insurance Agency of Palatka, Florida.
Ben Bates came to Palatka in 1967 as a teacher and coach before entering the real estate and insurance businesses. Dale Hewett was an award-winning life insurance producer. The two formed a partnership in 1986 and have achieved business success and admiration for their civic ventures ever since. Among the organizations and groups that benefit from Ben's and Dale's philanthropy are Future Farmers of America, area theater clubs, Women's Resource Center, Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, and several athletic programs (including their sponsorship and preparation of high school team prayer breakfasts during football season).
But Bates & Hewett Insurance Agency's contributions to the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, Inc., were keys to its Honorable Mention nomination.
Founded in 1950 by Homer Rodeheaver and Harry Westbury, the 1,190-acre ranch provides living facilities for boys, mostly between ages 7 and 14, who are orphaned or have been in a dysfunctional situation where they're virtually homeless or cannot live with family members.
Buses transport the boys to public schools. The ranch's program offers food, clothing and housing but, most important, emotional and spiritual support and direction. A chapel is on the grounds. There's a grape arbor, fruit trees and livestock. Scouting programs are available.
Rodeheaver Ranch's executive director, Ken Johnson, a Doctor of Ministry and Psychology, issued this commendation to Bates and Hewett: "I thank the two of you for the many years and countless ways your commitment and support have blessed and sustained the mission of Rodeheaver Boys Ranch. You are here for the boys in whatever capacity you are able. And you have inspired your employees to get involved. I am proud to serve with you as we continue the work of building boys."
Johnson adds that Bates and Hewett recognize the importance and value of being part of a family. They appreciate the ranch's cottage environment in which the boys can get as close as possible to a real family.
Ben Bates has served a two-year term as Rodeheaver board president. "Those kids have been thrown a curve ball," he said. "Most of them come from poor home environments. I'm proud that our agency can help out a little."
The Rough Notes Company is privileged to present the Honorable Mention winners' designated service projects--American Cancer Society and Rodeheaver Boys Ranch--with $1,500 checks. And for their efforts in helping others, C. Gary Stewart and Bates & Hewett Insurance received the Community Service Award sculpted eagle. *
The 2003 winners join the distinguished
The Rough Notes Company, Inc.
Community Service Award
Honor Roll:
2000 winner:
Al Singer - Teaneck, New Jersey
Honorable Mention:
Gerald L. Butts - Moline, Illinois
Leslie R. Jacobs - Metarie, Louisiana
Richard A. Lees - Pana, Illinois
Frank Milsaps - Mobile, Alabama
2001 winner:
Richard A. Lees - Pana, Illinois
Honorable Mention:
Wayne Coffey - Towson, Maryland
Frank D. Spicer - Fairfax, Virginia
2002 winner:
Kenneth D. Felten - Vero Beach, Florida
Honorable Mention:
Jack Allen - Tulsa, Oklahoma
W. Michael Huff - Nashville, Tennessee
Edward Joseph - Naples, New York
Fredrick Tad Krug - Little Rock, Arkansas
Steve Ritchie - Rolling Meadows, Illinois
2003 winner:
Giroux-Audet-Rua Insurance Agency - Fall River, Massachusetts
Honorable Mention:
Bates & Hewett Insurance Agency - Palatka, Florida
C. Gary Stewart - Florence, Kentucky