For more than a thousand years, the red feather has been used as a reward for special acts. It was awarded for unusual acts of valor or chivalry during medieval times. American Indians awarded red dyed eagle feathers to their most fearless braves. Robin Hood awarded a red feather to his men for acts of exceptional goodness.
Beginning in the early 1930's many United Ways adopted the red feather as a symbol of service to the community. Even today, people still refer to "Red Feather Agencies."
In the spirit of selflessness long associated with the red feather, the United Way of Lee County recognizes those who contribute to United Way with exceptional generosity to help people in need. Individuals who give $1,000 or more are offered membership and asked to wear our version of the red feather.
Wearing this timeless symbol indicates more than simply a contribution of money. It indicates each member's leadership role in helping people care for one another. Their willingness to share inspires their friends and associates to join them in helping others who may be less fortunate.
Our society has changed in many ways throughout the years. But the spirit embodied in the feather emblem remains the same: recognizing exceptional people who care.
Anonymous
Dr. Jo Heath
Dr. and Mrs. Gerald Leischuck
Mr. E.L. Spencer, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Terry Andrus
Dr. and Mrs. Richard Jaeger
Dr. Joseph Kicklighter
Dr. Andrew McLelland
Coach Bruce Pearl
Mr. and Mrs. Brycen and Annie Williams
Ms. Kathryn Adams
Dr. Hannah Alpert
Mr. Jason Bourassa
Mr. William Caldwell
Mr. and Mrs. Eric Canada
Mr. Mark Chambers
Mr. and Mrs. Matt Clegg
Mr. and Mrs. Al and Dudley Cook
Mr. Matthew Craft
Ms. Jan Dempsey
Mr. Bob Dumas
Dr. and Mrs. Richard Freeman
Ms. Carrissa Fuller
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Fuller
Dr. Ruth Galbraith
Dr. David Han
Mr. Richard Harrington
Dr. Stanley Harris
Dr. and Mrs. Calvin Johnson
Mr. Sebastian Lewis
Mr. Herbert Martin
Mr. and Mrs. James O'Connor
Dr. and Mrs. Paul Patterson
Dr. Joel Pittard
Dr. William Russell
Drs. William and Lane Sauser
Ms. Christina Shelby
Dr. and Mrs. Emmet Thompson
Dr. and Mrs. Emil Wright
Dr. Joseph Aistrup
Mr. Timmy Babe
Ms. Jill Barnett
Mr. and Mrs. Tutt Barrett
Ms. Karen Beckwith
Ms. Rebecca Benton
Dr. Werner Bergen
Dr. David Bergeron
Dr. Roland Beyers
Ms. Marka Blackerby
Mr. and Mrs. William Blakney
Ms. Robyn Bridges
Mr. Andy Burcham
Mr. and Mrs. Barry and Mary Burkhart
Mr. Dustin Casper
Mr. Michael Collette
Mr. and Mrs. Ab Conner
Mrs. Laura Cooper
Ms. Savanna Cooper
Mr. Thomas Cummings
Dr. Dennis Delaney
Ms. Kathryn Echols
Dr. Cathleen Erwin
Mr. James Foor
Ms. Alison Frazier
Mr. Marty Freeman
Dr. Brian Gibson
Dr. Richard Glaze
Mr. Guy Gunter
Ms. Lynne Hammond
Ms. Johnnie Harris
Mr. and Mrs. Norman Hensley
Dr. Georg Hetzer
Mr. Jay Hovey
Carnikko Johnson
Sheriff Jay Jones
Mr. Adam Keeton
Ms. Teresa Logiotatos
Mr. and Mrs. Paul and Dolly Marshall
Ms. Christina McClendon
Ms. Megan McGowen
Ms. Kathryn Molnar
Mr. Charles Mosley
Ms. Melissa Motley
Dr. Eduard Muljadi
Ms. Brenda Murray
Dr. Andrzej Nowak
Dr. Traci O'Brien
Mr. Steve Pelham
Mr. James Percy
Ms. Cindy Poteet
Ms. Kelli Ray
Mr. David Reaves
Ms. Becky Richardson
Dr. and Mrs. Robert and Charlot Ritenbaugh
Mr. David Salmon
Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Smith
Dr. Jeffery Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Spears
Ms. Jean Spicer
Dr. and Mrs. Eugene Stanaland
Mr. Jeffrey Stewart
Ms. Shekena Stewart
Mr. Christopher Terry
Dr. Carol Warfield
Mr. John Wild
Mr. and Mrs. Marty and Robin Williams
Mr. and Mrs. K. Ted Wilson
Mr. Justin Zapp