United Way Tocqueville Society is proud to recognize John E. and Francie Garber Pepper and
J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver with the 2008 National United Way Tocqueville Society Award®

J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver and John E. and Francie Garber Pepper

John E. and Francie Garber Pepper are deeply committed to service in Cincinnati, especially in helping children reach their fullest potential. They have lent their time, talents and resources to United Way of Greater Cincinnati and multiple child-related strategic initiatives and agency programs and are members of Cincinnati’s and United Way of America’s Million Dollar Roundtable. Currently chairman of the board of The Walt Disney Company, John served as chairman of the board, CEO and president of The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) and as vice president of finance and administration at Yale University after his P&G retirement. Francie proudly claims the title of WMV, recognizing her roles as a wife, mother and volunteer.

United Way’s 1994 campaign chair, John Pepper was a driving force behind creation of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Every Child Succeeds in Cincinnati, as well as Success By 6® in both Cincinnati and New Haven, Connecticut. He is also a founder of the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, a nationally recognized program that provides mentoring, tutoring and college access for young people.

He serves on its Executive Committee and was a CYC mentor. “One of the very first things he had done for me, when we first met, was ask me, ‘What are you doing to help prepare yourself for college?’” says Kevin Andrew, his mentee. “He assisted me in preparing myself for college as far as getting me into classes to help prepare me for the SAT s. When I first started this, I didn’t realize I would be building this relationship with him over 16 years. It’s been very positive and helpful for me personally and professionally.”

Francie Pepper is a long-time advocate for women. She believes they “are the first line of defense in raising children.” She has played a critical role for women who have experienced domestic violence, co-chairing a YWCA capital campaign that raised $7.5 million for a larger shelter that tripled the agency’s capacity to serve battered women and their children so they wouldn’t have to be put on a waiting list. “Her commitment to eradicating domestic violence comes from her belief that no one deserves to be abused – and, if women suffer, children will suffer and the quality of life is diminished for all,” says YWCA president Charlene Ventura. Campaign funds were also used to restore the YWCA’s downtown historic headquarter building and add a fully accredited licensed child care center. Francie has served as the YWCA’s board chair and on several committees.

J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver are the embodiment of philanthropy and the spirit of democracy. Their daily lives mirror personal involvement and generosity of service and resources. With values reflecting hard work and earning your way, they have maintained a strong commitment to investing in their community and leading by example.
Throughout their careers, the Weavers have maintained a commitment to philanthropic endeavors and leadership by example. Since the awarding of their NFL franchise, Wayne and Delores have focused their charitable efforts through the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation and the Weaver Family Foundation.

With a desire to impact the lives of economically and socially disadvantaged youth and their families, the Jaguars Foundation has allocated more than $11 million in grants to local agencies. Through this Foundation, the Weavers have also inspired other NF L communities to develop their own philanthropic initiatives. The Honor Rows incentive program, which gives low-income youth an opportunity to earn a seat to a Jaguars home game, has been recognized nationally. NFL communities, including Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills have replicated the program or incorporated other elements into their own charitable tickets program.

Delores and Wayne Weaver continue to embody the mission of United Way through their integrity, community impact, and service. Through their combined efforts, the Weaver Family Foundation has contributed generously to human service agencies and organizations across Northeast Florida. Much of this giving has been fashioned as challenge grants to be matched by the community. In an unprecedented show of philanthropy, Wayne and Delores personally donated $21 million to 38 Northeast Florida nonprofit organizations. They contributed to groups selected by them based on various educational, cultural and social contributions to the community.

With four $1 million dollar gifts to United Way, both locally and nationally, the Weavers’ generosity has inspired others to not only give, but to also become personally involved in the issues and challenges that face children and families. They maintain a strong commitment to philanthropy and practice this philosophy of giving back to the Northeast Florida community and the nation as a whole. Delores often quotes Theodore Roosevelt who said, “Our country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.”

The Fleur-de-Lis Awards for Excellence
The Fleur-de-Lis Awards for Excellence are presented each year at a special recognition event (link to Tocqueville Society Events page) to local Tocqueville Societies that excel in the following categories:

•  Most Tocqueville dollars for community impact
• Growth of Tocqueville dollars for community impact over previous year
• Percentage of renewed Tocqueville gifts that increased by 10% over previous year
• Most Tocqueville members • Most New Million Dollar Roundtable gift commitments
• Most National Society members
• Net change in total members
• Number of new Tocqueville Legacy Circle commitments
• Most women Tocqueville donors

2008-2009Fleur-de-Lis Awards for Excellence

Albuquerque, NM
United Way of Central Mexico
(500k to 1M population)

Atlanta, GA
United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta
(Over 2M population)

Boston, MA
UnitedWayofMassachusetts & MerrimackValley
(Over2Mpopulation)

Cleveland, TN
United Way of Bradley County
(Under 100k population)

Dallas, TX
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas
(Over 2M population)

Des Moines, IA
United Way of Central Iowa
(200k to 500k population)

Greenwich, CT
United Way of Greenwich
(Under 100k population)

Highpoint, NC
UnitedWayofGreaterHighpoint, Inc.
(100kto200kpopulation)

Houston, TX
United Way of Greater Houston
(Over 2M population)

Knoxville, TN
UnitedWayofGreaterKnoxville
(200kto500kpopulation)

Las Vegas, NV
United Way of Southern Nevada
(Over 2M population)

Madison, WI
United Way of Dane County, Inc.
(200k – 500k population)

Martinsburg, WV
UnitedWayofthe Panhandle
(100k to 200k population)   

Miami, FL
UnitedWayofMiami-Dade
(Over2Mpopulation)

Midland, TX                                                                                   
The United Way of Midland, Inc.                             
(100k to 200k population)

Milwaukee, WI
United Way of Greater Milwaukee
(500k to 1M population)

Omaha, NE
United Way of the Midlands
(500k to 1M population)

Palm Beach, FL
Town of Palm Beach United Way
(100k to 200k population)

Seattle, WA
United Way of King County
(1M to 2M population)

Westchester and Putnam, NY 
United Way of Westchester and Putnam
(1M to 2M population)