News

Birge wins top honor of Community Foundation

Ruth Birge and Shirley McGee pose with award at Community Foundation annual luncheon.

By Bill Moss, Published: August 26, 2015

Ruth Birge, who came to Hendersonville in 2002 as publisher of the Times-News and quickly established a reputation as a leader of great spirit and compassion, was named the 2015 winner of the Richard C. and Vina L. Sauer Charitable Leadership Award during the annual luncheon meeting of the Community Foundation of Henderson County at Kenmure Country Club on Wednesday.

A native of Indiana, Birge came to Hendersonville from the Lakeland (Fla.) Ledger. After her retirement from the Times-News in 2009, she became executive director of the United Way of Henderson County, guiding a comprehensive analysis of the community needs and setting a long-range plan to improve education, affordable housing and job growth.

"A great example of what happens when you combine hard work, determination, wisdom and integrity in one individual," Birge "will continue for years to come to be a driving force in shaping positive change in our community that will help generations of Henderson County residents," said Shirley McGee, a Community Foundation board member and chair of its recognition committee. Beginning her day typically at 5:30 in the morning, Birge "hits the ground running and goes hard throughout the day wearing many hats in service to the community."

Since her retirement from the United Way in May, Birge has worked as an advertising and circulation consultant for the Hendersonville Lightning and has helped guide a merger of Mainstay and the Healing Place into a single agency that serve victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.That second retirement is unlikely to be any more successful than the first at slowing Birge down, McGee noted.

The owner of three businesses during her career, Birge has also served on the boards of the United Way, Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters, Historic Courthouse Committee, Community Foundation, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, Athena Award Committee, Pardee Hopspital Foundation, Hendersonville Rotary Club, Western Carolina Community Action, the N.C. Press Association and Grace Lutheran Church. She has volunteered for more than 15 local organizations.

"When you hear this person's infectious laugh, it is hard to think she has faced any misfortune," McGee said. Though she lost two husbands and faced other life challenges, she has overcome every hardship with a life-affirming spirit of giving. "Her positive nature, great humor and love for mankind has been revealed in our community time and time again," McGee said.

The annual luncheon also included highlights of the Community Foundation's 2014-15 fiscal year. A sellout crowd of foundation supporters also recognized retiring board members Kimbela McMinn and Ron Partin, welcomed new members Elisa Jarrin, Betsy Lutz and Judith Stroud and heard remarks from Celeste Collins, executive director of OnTrack Financial Education and Counseling, Allen Combs and worker Daniel Foster of Vocational Solutions; and Dan Poeta, owner of Horizon Heating and Air Conditioning, who spoke about establishing the Horizon Heating and Air Conditioning Fund for local nonprofit agencies.

Named for Richard C. and Vina L. Sauer, who left a $1 million donation to the Community Foundation, the Sauer award honors an outstanding philanthropist who has shown great leadership in the community.