The Lakeland Regional Medical Center Foundation recognized Mr. & Mrs. John T. Cannon as the 2009 Philanthropist of the Year and Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc. as the 2009 Corporate Philanthropist of the Year at the Foundations annual donor reception on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at the home of Dr. Ricardo Ric & Mrs. Beatriz Duque.
Chuck Bovay congratulates John and Helen Cannon
The Cannons have been loyal supporters of the hospital, with giving that dates back to 1991. The Cannons are Foundation Morrell Society members (a society that recognizes cumulative giving of $10,000 or more) and have been generous contributors to the Foundations Lights for Life and Cancer Clinical Trials Campaigns.
In addition to their gifts, the Cannons were recognized for the generous volunteer commitments they have made to Lakeland Regional. Mr. Cannon is a former hospital board member (1991-1997) and hospital board chair (1994-1995) as well as a past Foundation board member (2000-2009) and past Foundation board chair (2003 & 2004). In fact, Mr. Cannon served as Foundation Board Chair during a critical year in which the Foundation was without an Executive Director. According to Holly Parrish, Mr. Cannon really helped us through a difficult year. He single handedly kept our Community Intern Program running and recruited dozens of participants that year.
Likewise, Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc. has been highly involved in LRMC Foundation Campaigns since 1996. The Charities have made Leadership gifts to multiple Lights for Life campaigns including sponsoring a treatment room and parent lounge for the Pediatric Floor, a new Procedural Room for the planned new Pediatric Emergency Department, 3 Giraffe Beds for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and extensive renovation for the Labor & Delivery Unit. In addition, they are entering their second year as the title sponsor for the Foundations Women in Philanthropy Cookin Men event.
The selection committee did not deliberate long in deciding on Publix or the
Ken Menefee and Jack Stephens with the winners
Cannons as their picks for this year’s awards. According to one member, John Cannon has been working diligently and tirelessly as a volunteer in this community for so many years. It is time for him to be recognized. The committee also noted the fact that Mr. Cannon was a founding member of Lakeland Volunteers In Medicine (LVIM) as well as its first board chair. He has also provided key leadership for the Polk Museum, the Polk Theatre, and the Salvation Army to name a few. Retired from the world of banking, John still plays a big role in finance as the Treasurer for First United Methodist Church and the Community Foundation of Greater Lakeland.
Ken Menefee, Foundation Executive Director points out, “Publix certainly sets the bar for corporate philanthropic support in our community. Additionally, John and Helen Cannon have stood out as philanthropic leaders in Lakeland, passing down those values to the next generation, as is evidenced by the volunteer work of their daughter Susan and their son-in-law Dale Dreyer, who serves as the current Board Chair for the Foundation.” He added, “Dale wasn’t a part of the voting, but I doubt he would disagree that they were the right choice.”
The Philanthropist of the Year is: An individual, couple or physician that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the vision and values of LRMC by making a significant personal contribution of time, talent and personal resources to the development of superior healthcare. The Corporate Philanthropist of the Year recognizes a business that has made a significant contribution of services, products and/or financial resources to the development of superior health care.
This is the first year the Foundation has honored a Corporate Philanthropist of the Year. According to Holly Parrish, “We felt that we needed to not only honor and lift up individuals who are philanthropic leaders but also the many business who support our hospitals goals year after year.”
The individual award was presented to John & Helen Cannon by Chuck and Connie Bovay, recipients of the special recognition for 2008. The corporate award was presented to Sharon Miller, Executive Director by Jack Stephens, LRMC CEO.