Purvis wins coveted award as volunteer
PITTSBURGH — If anyone can recognize a true champion, it's Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II.
Rooney attended the ceremony on Thursday evening in the Steelers locker room at Heinz Field where Butler's own Jean Purvis received the 28th Senator John Heinz Award from the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania's Tocqueville Society.
“I was excited to meet her for the first time. What she's done as a volunteer is a great story,” Rooney said. “We're proud to have her here.”
Rooney and all in attendance at the award reception beamed as Purvis, 98, of Butler, chatted with those who congratulated her on being recognized for her relentless volunteerism.
As part of the award, Purvis received a check for $10,000 from UPMC Health Plan, which will be donated to the community health center named for her off East Butler Road in Summit Township.
Purvis is the first Butler County resident to receive the Senator John Heinz Award for her volunteerism.
“It just tells you what can happen if you live long enough,” Purvis quipped. “I'm shocked.”
She said the United Way has been a longtime and stalwart supporter of the health clinic, which Purvis started in 2008.
“I'm not sure I deserve it, but I'm very pleased and proud,” Purvis said of the award.
Nick Neupauer, president of Butler County Community College, also attended the reception.
Neupauer called Purvis, who has served as a volunteer and on countless boards of directors in the county, a pillar of the community.“She's certainly deserving, and it gives her and the health center even more recognition,” Neupauer said. “To have her recognized in this setting as a Steelers fan is awesome too.”He said the award also shows that Butler County is a growing and thriving community.“This award so much speaks to that,” Neupauer said.Amy Franz, Butler region director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania United Way, said she is “ecstatic” that Purvis was named the Heinz Award recipient.She pointed out that before the former Butler United Way merged with the Southwestern Pennsylvania United Way in April 2018, Purvis would not have been eligible for the award.“When you talk about why we merged, these are the opportunities afforded,” Franz said. “It reminds people that the region is bigger than Allegheny County and big things are born in Butler County.”Kim Fleming, president and CEO of Hefren-Tillotson, said her mother and Purvis have been good friends for decades.Fleming, a 1976 Knoch High School graduate, was thrilled that Purvis won the prestigious award.“I can't imagine anyone who deserves it more than Jean,” Fleming said.She agreed that the United Way merger brings more folks like Purvis into the fold who are committed to the spirit of giving and supporting the region's less fortunate.Fleming has been one of the 540 members of the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania Tocqueville Society for 15 years.The society is comprised of those in the region who donate $10,000 or more each year.Fleming said the society is involved with many organizations supported by the United Way.
John Wisniewski, co-chairman of the Senator John Heinz Award, called Purvis “a great role model for anyone who aspires to make positive changes.”“If Sen. Heinz were here tonight, he'd be very pleased to see Jean receive this award,” Wisniewski said.Brendan Harris, co-chairman of the Heinz Award, said the Jean B. Purvis Community Health Center has served more than 10,000 uninsured or under-insured individuals since its inception in 2008.“Even at 98 years of age, Jean continues to be a driving force within her community,” Harris said.Purvis is active in the Butler Heath System Foundation, Butler Area League of Women Voters and the Butler County Symphony Association, among others.She is past recipient of the Butler Rotary's Distinguished Service Award, the Endowment for Butler County's Community Service Award, Butler Health System's Women of Legacy Award and the Andrus Award from the AARP of Pennsylvania.After making her way to the podium with only the slightest assistance, Purvis was quick to voice her appreciation for a consistent supporter of the health center.“I thank the United Way for continuing support of the clinic,” Purvis said. “We really wouldn't have survived without you.”
