Lycoming County United Way announces 2022 Douglas C. Dickey Humanitarian award winner
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Honoring a long-time community philanthropist and leader, the Lycoming County United Way (LCUW) has selected Mrs. Catharine "Kay" Ertel to receive the organization's highest honor, the Douglas C. Dickey Humanitarian Award.
The award will be presented at the organization's annual meeting and awards event on April 13, 2023, at the Holiday Inn Downtown, 100 Pine Street, Williamsport.The award is presented annually to individuals whose dedication, commitment, and outstanding leadership have made a significant contribution to the welfare of Lycoming County.
Presented annually since 1947, the award was renamed from the Lycoming United Way Award in 1997 to honor the memory of the late LCUW President Douglas C. Dickey, who was among those lost in the crash of TWA Flight 800.
"As a past award recipient, I am pleased to welcome Mrs. Ertel into a group of honorees who have dedicated their lives to service in our community and our organization," reflected Ron Frick, President of the Lycoming County United Way.
"Kay has been a long-time donor of the United Way as well as other nonprofit organizations in our community, and she and her late husband Allen have been instrumental in the rebirth of the former Bethune Douglas Community Center, now Firetree Place, which offers programs for children and families who need before and after school care.
Her quiet but committed philanthropy is worthy of this honor and recognition." We are also honored to have this year's award sponsored by UPMC.In addition to her decades-long support of the United Way, Kay and her late husband Allen established Firetree Place in 2015, and she served on the Firetree Place board of directors and as its President.
Mrs. Ertel also served in leadership of the YWCA Northcentral PA as a director, trustee, capital campaign chair, and President.She received the Blanche Smink Volunteer Award in 1988.
She was an active member of the Junior League of Williamsport, chaired local campaigns for the March of Dimes, and was involved in Preservation Williamsport.
Mrs. Ertel alsoserved the Lycoming County Democratic Women's Club as a director and served the Pennsylvania Democratic Women's Clubs as its Chair.Mr. and Mrs. Ertel were also instrumental in establishing the Taylor J. Ertel Foster Child Scholarship Foundation in memory of their son, Taylor. M
Mrs. Ertel served as a Board member and the Executive Director for many years.Professionally, Kay taught high school English as well as second grade. She was also a Head Start teacher. She also served many years as a PTA volunteerand Sunday School teacher.