United Way of Martin County honors Charlie and Geri Ruibal at Tocqueville Society reception

The United Way of Martin County Alexis de Tocqueville Society is made up of individuals who have committed to making a significant investment in the future of Martin County – they set the standard for charitable giving. Collectively, their generosity represents 40 percent of United Way of Martin County’s annual campaign with gifts that total more than $1.4 million.

But more than that, they are visionaries who lead by example. United Way recently hosted the annual Tocqueville Society reception at Sailfish Point Country Club to gather those members for an evening of fellowship.
Attendees heard from Tocqueville Society co-chairs Muffin Adamiak and Noreen Fisher. “I believe in the mission of United Way. I believe it improves lives by taking our dollars and magnifying their impact through coordinated grants to well-run nonprofits,” Fisher said. 

United Way presented the coveted Alexis de Tocqueville Outstanding Philanthropy Award to Sailfish Point residents Charlie and Gerry Ruibal for their leadership and passion for improving people’s lives and strengthening our community. The Ruibals have been members of United Way of Martin County’s Tocqueville Society for more than two decades while also supporting many other nonprofit organizations. The Ruibals have also endowed two scholarships and the RUIBAL Challenge (Reaching Urban Individuals By Action and Love) at Villanova.

“At Villanova I learned about Saint Augustine who challenged us to become what we are not yet. And that has always stuck with me. I really believe that with the support of Tocqueville Society and all United Way donors that Martin County will become what it is not yet,” Ruibal said. 

Tocqueville Society members were also inspired to support the United Way Foundation’s endowment campaign in honor of the United Way of Martin County’s 50th anniversary. “The United Way Foundation was formed in 2004 after Hurricane Frances and Jean when United Way leadership realized a more permanent funding source was needed to sustain the community in times of crisis,” said Ted Brown, president, Florida, Wilmington Trust, who is also a founding member of the United Way Foundation. In addition to graciously underwriting the annual reception for over a decade, Wilmington Trust stepped forward as the first corporate donor to the endowment campaign.

Since 1972, the United Way has been working to address community challenges and provide support to residents by investing in local programs that strive to improve education, promote good health, and support financial stability.