Allan Hancock College, along with a handful of local nonprofit organizations, is inviting the public to “Celebrate Philanthropy!” at an annual luncheon on Nov. 4 at 11:30 a.m. at the Santa Maria Country Club. The event thanks longtime philanthropists whose work has impacted the community.
This year’s honorees will be Royce Lewellen, Ann Foxworthy Lewellen, and Sue J. Sword.
“Each of the recipients has ties to the community and has established a lifelong pattern of giving,” Celebrate Philanthropy! committee member Judy Frost said in a release to the media. “We see the results of what happens when people come together and share their time, talent, treasure, and leadership, and it’s just tremendous. So much of that work goes unseen, though, and through this venue, we are raising the profile of some of these philanthropic works.”
According to Frost, the committee received several hundred application letters, sharing stories of people who spend ample time volunteering in the community. After careful consideration, the committee narrowed the pool down to three honorees.
Through their philanthropic work, Royce Lewellen and Ann Foxworthy Lewellen have made names for themselves in the community: There’s a courthouse complex named after him and an art gallery named after her.
For years, the Lewellens—both individually and as a couple—have donated time and funds to many organizations in the county. Lewellen received the Outstanding Benefactor Award from the American Association of Community Colleges’ Council for his contributions to Allan Hancock College. Foxworthy Lewellen was named Woman of the Year for the 18th California Senatorial District, and she’s received the Woman of Excellence Award from the Santa Maria Women’s Network and the Marian Medical Center Distinguished Service Award.Since arriving in Santa Maria in 1945, Sword has served as the longtime president of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, as well as president or board member of multiple civic organizations. She’s also received numerous awards, including Santa Barbara County Outstanding Woman of the Year. According to the committee, her nominator summed up the nomination with this quote: “Sue is the quintessential volunteer and community leader.”
Event tickets are on sale now for $25 each. Call 346-6123 for more information or to make reservations.
School Scene is compiled by Managing Editor Amy Asman. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Oct 14-21, 2010.