When more than 1,000 donors, nonprofit and financial professionals, and community friends recently gathered at The Dayton Foundation’s Celebrate CommUnity! event at Carillon Historical Park, they saw engaging arts performances by Stivers School for the Arts, local funk band Heather Redman & The Reputation and the Springfield Symphony Jazz Orchestra, featuring Grammyaward winning artist Carmen Bradford.
Arguably the most memorable highlight of the night, however, was a heartfelt tribute to Judy McCormick and Betsy Whitney, two longtime Dayton Foundation donors who were honored for their dedication to the Foundation and Greater Dayton.
“Judy and Betsy aren’t just amazing volunteers. They have big hearts and a passion for giving back,” said past Governing Board Chair Ellen Ireland during the presentation. “When I think about your contributions and what you’ve accomplished, I am reminded of the principles of being fully committed to civic responsibility and to being passionate about life. You are part of The Dayton Foundation’s soul and spirit. On behalf of all of us, we thank you for your extraordinary service.”
Smiling from ear to ear, Judy and Betsy spoke a few words of gratitude to the crowd.
“We just feel so happy that we live in a community that recognizes everybody and gives everybody an opportunity, and it works out well,” Betsy said.
“All I can say is thank you all for being here. Boy, have you made it fun tonight!” Judy said.
“One of the committees I got to serve on was the one that chose Mike Parks as president of the Foundation. How did we do?” Judy continued, pausing for applause. “He is the ‘king of collaboration,’ that’s how he gets you all together, that’s how you get the ‘CommUnity!’”
The tribute signified the culmination of decades of service and generosity from Judy and Betsy that continues today. Though neither can pinpoint how they first met, it’s their common desire to help others that has bonded them over the years and laid the groundwork for an enduring friendship.
A Yellow Springs native, Betsy has long been a fixture in Greater Dayton, particularly in the arts scene as a volunteer, donor and patron. Giving back has been a concept ingrained in her since she was a child during World War II.
“Growing up during the war, giving and doing was expected of everyone. Girls learned to knit squares for blankets for servicemen. Women sent cookies by air to the front,” Betsy said. “The gratitude and responses instilled in me a desire to continue to find ways to give back.”
Betsy and her late husband, Lee, moved to Dayton in 1954, and she embarked on a journey of service which provided her with invaluable leadership experience and connections. She balanced this work while raising three young children, quickly becoming an integral figure on the nonprofit scene. She has served on numerous boards, including the Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, The Human Race Theatre Company, Victoria Theatre Association (now Dayton Live) and the YWCA of Dayton. The YWCA holds a special place in her heart, as it was her first volunteer opportunity in Dayton and resulted in a partnership that has lasted for nearly 70 years.
“I’m proud of the work I’ve done to support the YWCA, which helps so many women through its shelters and rehabilitation programs,” said Betsy, who recently had a YWCA lifetime achievement award named in her honor.
When Judy, a native of Colorado, moved to Dayton with her husband, Bill, it wasn’t long before she immersed herself in charitable causes. If building her career as a teacher, supporting Bill in his work as a stockbroker or raising their four daughters wasn’t enough to occupy her time, Judy felt a calling to serve in various volunteer and board roles for local nonprofits and her church, Westminster Presbyterian. When raising funds for charitable causes, she often would say, “Where are we now?” and “How much more do we have to go?”
One of the things that drew the McCormicks to the area was Dayton’s arts scene. She is a longtime supporter and/or former board member of organizations such as the Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Dayton Live, Dayton Performing Arts Alliance and Dayton Public Radio. Now more than ever, Judy encourages others to patronize these organizations and support the rich arts offerings our region has to offer.
“DCDC, in particular, is a premier dance company that often doesn’t get the audience attendance or recognition locally that it deserves,” Judy said. “I hope to raise awareness and renew support of DCDC, reclaiming it as one of the real jewels of our city.”
Perhaps one of Judy and Betsy’s most longstanding associations is through their work with The Dayton Foundation. In 1990, Betsy became the second woman appointed to the Foundation’s Governing Board. Judy joined the Governing Board in 1999 and in 2004 became its first chairwoman. While their time on the Board has concluded, both continue to serve on the Foundation’s Marketing and Public Relations Committee, with Betsy, who is now a more than 30-year member, and Judy, a member for more than 20 years, rarely missing a meeting.
Judy and Betsy, along with their beloved late husbands, have established endowment funds through The Dayton Foundation, making sure their favorite charities and causes keep thriving long into the future. They credit partnering with the Foundation as the reason they’ve been able to join with others to make an impact on their “CommUnity.”
“The Dayton Foundation serves as a community umbrella to cover many needs, each spoke is important as a service to others,” Betsy said. “It has given me the opportunity to meet community leaders and learn about their vast experiences and use that knowledge to improve lives across the region.”
“The Foundation offers us a streamlined and efficient way to make our own charitable gifts, as well as opportunities to be a part of a bigger effort when our gift is added to the gifts of others,” Judy added. “At the Foundation, everyone is welcome, and everyone can have an influence. That is what I call ‘CommUnity!’”