Simply put, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas could not achieve its work without volunteers. It's their time, commitment and dedication that drive United Way.

United Way celebrated nearly 300 volunteers -- including the Board of Directors, Women of Tocqueville, funds allocations volunteers, Earn It! Keep It! Save It! participants and others -- at the inaugural Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon June 10 at The Westin Galleria Dallas. The event was sponsored by Bank of America.

Under the theme "V.I.P.: Volunteers Inspire Possibilities," United Way presented awards to outstanding volunteers for their community service.

The J. Erik Jonsson Award for Volunteerism -- United Way's highest volunteer honor -- was presented to Phil Ritter. The award honors an individual who epitomizes the spirit of volunteerism and service.

Roger Nanney, the 2009 J. Erik Jonsson Award winner, presented Ritter the honor, noting Ritter's many parallels to the award's namesake. Among them: Jonsson was a founder of Texas Instruments -- which Ritter joined in 1989 and where he later served as Senior Vice President. Jonsson was a driving force in the development of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport -- where Ritter currently serves as Executive Vice President. Like Jonsson, Ritter also has a passion for education and is committed to the community through United Way.

Upon accepting his award, Ritter offered deep thanks to those who have touched his life and shared valuable insights he has applied throughout his United Way volunteer experience. One such individual was a Texas Instruments administrative assistant who worked on the company's United Way campaign. She was the person who first asked Ritter to become a United Way donor. He agreed and each year after, she approached him again. He learned from her, he said, the importance of making the ask.

Another Texas Instruments colleague has worked to establish a GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) internal chapter. From him, Ritter said, he's learned the value of presenting new ideas and perspectives.

Additional Volunteer Awards were presented by Scott Ozanus, 2009 United Way Chairman of the Board and Vice Chairman-Tax for KPMG, and Pat Faubion, 2010 United Way Chairman of the Board and Executive Vice President of Comerica Bank Texas. Details on the award winners and examples of their outstanding volunteer service are listed below.

Debra von Storch, a partner at Ernst & Young and Southwest Sub-Area Strategic Growth Markets Leader, served as keynote speaker. Her inspiring and passionate speech was framed around Dr. Seuss' Oh, the Places You'll Go, linking the preparation and execution of one's journey. Whether a vacation or volunteerism, she said, you have to set your course and know how you'll get there.

"Think about your volunteer activities with United Way as a journey," said von Storch, who holds several United Way volunteer roles, including 2010 Chair of the Women of Tocqueville Steering Committee and member of United Way Board of Directors and Volunteer Engagement Cabinet. "What do you want to see and do along the way? Map your volunteer activities as a journey and align them with your passion."

View event photos

2010 Volunteer Award Winners:

J. Erik Jonsson Award for Volunteerism: Phil Ritter, Executive Vice President, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

Ritter began his deep connection with United Way while working at Texas Instruments. There, he became a dedicated donor and later managed the United Way campaign in his workplace. He later joined the United Way Board of Directors and went on to serve as Chairman of the Needs Assessment Committee, which worked to quantify the community needs and align them with United Way resources.

Ritter's United Way volunteer leadership roles include serving on the Executive Committee and as the 2005 Campaign Chairman. It was during his time as Chairman of the Board in 2008 that the wheels were put in motion for United Way to develop a strategic plan for the future. Under his leadership, the early vision was developed for what is now United 2020 -- the 10-year community goals launched this year by United Way.

GIVE Volunteer Award: CeCe Clemens, Marketing Coordinator, The Medical Center of Plano

Clemens actively engages fellow Women's Leadership Council members, her professional colleagues and others to Give to and Volunteer for United Way. For a recent volunteer project, the Women's Leadership Council assembled 150 bags of donated baby items for low-income mothers. Rather than using gift bags, she suggested buying reusable shopping bags. This was the same cost as goodie bags and gave the mothers a bag they can reuse for their children and daily errands. This is just one example of how she contributes to United Way and makes a difference.

ADVOCATE Volunteer Award: Millie Bradley, Exxon Mobil Corporation (retired)

Bradley's leadership and passion have pioneered the advocacy efforts for United Way and Women of Tocqueville. She led the efforts to mobilize Women of Tocqueville around key issues, including a bill to improve the quality of Texas' pre-K program and advocating teachers and caregivers have sufficient training and education. She traveled to Austin and Washington, D.C. to advocate for United Way issues.