THE INSPIRATION

The Fred Atkins Community Service Fund and Award was established in 2011 in honor and memory of Frederick J. Atkins, a beloved Cayuga County volunteer and 30-year Unity House board member. Fred passed away in 2009 at the age of 95, but not before he touched the lives and hearts of many in our community. Fred was an exemplary community servant who gave selflessly of his time and considerable accounting expertise. He worked for 35 years at Columbian Rope Company in Auburn, rising in the ranks to become the company’s credit manager. Upon his retirement in 1978, he chose to share his time and talents by volunteering for a number of Cayuga County organizations, among them Unity House, the Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, the D.E. French Foundation, and the Faatz-Crofut Home for the Elderly. He was known for his attention to detail and punctuality, as well as his jovial yet no-nonsense style.

Fred and his wife Mildred were long-standing members of the First Presbyterian Church of Auburn. They had three sons, who now live in Canandaigua, Rochester, and Washington State. His children believe that volunteering after retirement contributed to Fred’s longevity.

THE FUND

The Frederick J. Atkins Community Service Fund was launched with gifts made to Unity House upon Fred’s passing in March 2009. These financial contributions of nearly $4,000 formed the basis of the fund. Today, we have raised more than $12,000. Additional donations are gratefully accepted at any time, and a fundraising campaign each spring coincides with Unity House's annual dinner and Atkins Award ceremony. With donations from the Atkins family and community members, Unity House intends to grow the fund to $50,000, which will generate enough interest to provide an annual cash award of $500 for the award recipient.

Donations to the fund are welcome at any time – help us reach our goal! Your cash gift will have a meaningful impact in Cayuga County, helping to promote volunteerism and selfless giving back to the community. Please make checks payable to Unity House, and mail to: Unity House, c/o Development Office, 34 Wright Avenue, Auburn, NY 13021. Note “Atkins Fund” on the memo line. Credit card contributions may also be made securely online.

THE AWARD

The Fred Atkins Community Service Award recognizes an outstanding individual who volunteers in Cayuga County and who exemplifies Fred’s high moral standards and philanthropic spirit. Nominations are invited each February.

The selected recipient will be honored each year at Unity House’s annual board dinner, held at the end of April. The awardee and a guest will be invited to attend the dinner as guests of Unity House; the public is warmly welcome as well. The recipient will be presented with a cash award of $500 - $250 as a reward to the winner, and $250 to be given to a Cayuga County charitable non-profit organization of the winner’s choice.


CALL FOR AWARD NOMINATIONS

The public is invited to nominate themselves or an individual who is a community servant just like Fred. Unity House employees are not eligible. To be considered, the nominee must:

• volunteer in Cayuga County
• act as a community service role model for others
• demonstrate integrity, compassion, and leadership