Maxine Dehart

Citizen of the Year Award

"She's a ball of fire. You either grab on and hold on for dear life or you'll get whiplash as you're thrown off!" That was Len Lifchus' response when he was asked if Maxine DeHart had a lot of energy. He answered, "That's a polite way to put it." He chose to hold on for dear life as she chaired the Central Okanagan United Way through their most successful fundraising campaign ever. How successful? This year's campaign surpassed its goal of $600,000 by about $53,000 up 10% from last year's contributions. That adds up to the largest yearly increase in the 49 year history of the Central Okanagan United Way. Many people in the community and at the United Way believe that success was due largely to the tireless work of Maxine DeHart. Of course the United Way was ecstatic, and no one more than Maxine.

Her dedication and total commitment to the United Way began two years ago, when she sat on the United Way's Golf Committee. Her enthusiasm showed as she went about securing sponsors for the tournament and signing up people to "play a round" for the United Way. An avid golfer herself, she enjoyed organizing the tournament and helping out our community.

Alas, her love for golf couldn't compete with her love for the community, so in 1998 she took on the much more demanding and time-consuming Campaign Chair position. Under her tireless direction, the United Way added several events, contacted more local business and increased the profile of the campaign, with the direct result of surpassing this year's goal.

"She's like the Eveready battery - she never seems to stop! It's a great pleasure and joy to work with her." says coworker at the United Way, Cynthia Waldek-Peters.

Anyone who's seen Maxine's newspaper column knows she has a huge circle of friends and business associates. This year they were all a part of the campaign's success, as Maxine pulled out all the stops and spoke to almost everyone she know to make the campaign a success for the Central Okanagan United Way agencies.

She's also an active member of the Central Okanagan United Way board of directors which meets once a month, and a past director of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, where she served for four years. In 1996 she received the prestigious President's Award, presented for outstanding contributions to the Chamber of Commerce by a Director.

Maxine's devotion to the United Way and to our community are felt by everyone in the community, perhaps especially by those who don't even know her. Kelowna's lucky to have you Maxine, and you are a most deserving Citizen of the Year. The 1999 Community Award.