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