The Helen & Stewart P. Blake Philanthropy Award

 

Philanthropy is the “love of man” in the sense of caring for, nourishing, improving, and enhancing the quality of life for human kind.

The Helen & Stewart P. Blake Philanthropy Award, formerly the Award of Merit, recognizes the exceptional philanthropy of members of the Opera family, whose devotion has enhanced Opera Carolina’s commitment to improving the quality of life for the citizens of greater Charlotte through the beauty of opera.

 

Leslie Paliyenko

Awarded on May 28, 1980

 

Hooper Alexander, III

Awarded on May 20, 2981

 

Oliver R. Rowe

Awarded on May 19, 1982

 

Hon. Sydnor Thompson

Awarded on May 25, 1983

 

Heinz Jaffe

Awarded on May 30, 1984

 

Lynnette Lewis

Awarded on June 4, 1986

 

Charles Rosekrans

Awarded on May 17, 1988

 

Clifford E. Bair

Awarded on June 20, 1989

 

The Opera Carolina Chorus

Awarded on June 15, 1990

 

Gaetano Staffa

Awarded on June 20, 1991

 

Mildred Templeton

Awarded on June 16, 1992

 

Marie Rowe

Awarded on June 6, 1995

 

Patricia Viles

Awarded on June 18, 1996

 

Jeanette N. Lee

Awarded on June 10, 1997

 

Emily P. Smith

Awarded on Sept. 23, 1998

 

Marjorie  and Bob McDorman

on June 18, 2002

 

Sally Ann Hall

Awarded on May 26, 2004

 

Dede Reid Blackburn

Awarded on May 13, 2005

 

Fred T. Lowrance

Awarded on June 19, 2007

 

Terry Lee Scott

Awarded on June 16, 2009

 

Charlotte and Ronald L. Payne

Awarded on October 19, 2013

 

Margaret and Dr. T. C. Price Zimmermann

Awarded on January 29, 2015

 

Pepper & Roddey Dowd

Awarded on April 16, 2016

 

Drs. Ki-Hyun and Sun Shin Chun

Awarded on January 28, 2017

 

Mary Tabor and Rob Engel

Awarded on April 18, 2018

 

Peg & George Povinelli

Awarded May 11, 2019

 

Arlene Ferebee

Awarded on September 16, 2021

 

Dr. Michael Marsicano

Awarded on January 26, 2023