The Gaston Community Foundation honored philanthropist, Anderson Davis âAndyâ Warlick with the Allen H. Sims Award.
The Gaston Community Foundation statistics presented by David Rogers included:
$124 million in assets
$6.8 million grants awarded in 2022
2022 gifts received totaled $15.4 million. 2022 was the second largest year for gifts since inception in 1978
110 Scholarships awarded in 2022
2022 Run raised $1.2 million for local nonprofits, with a match of 35%
Following Mr. Rogerâs leadership of the annual meeting, he recognized the 2023 Allen H. Sims Award recipient, Mr. Anderson Davis âAndyâ Warlick and his family: wife, Pamela Kimbrell Warlick; son, Davis Warlick and wife, Annie; daughter, Collins Byers and husband, Fred.
The Allen H. Sims Award is presented each year to an individual who depicts the character of the award: the selfless act of seeing a need and finding a solution, of caring for a community and making a difference.
Dr. Richard Rankin began the presentation of the award, detailing Mr. Warlickâs start in the community, from attending Gaston Day School to playing football on the Optimist Boys and Girls Club football team to attending the Citadel. Mr. Gene Matthews continued the conversation detailing Mr. Warlickâs return to his roots in Gastonia and the impact he has made since. While many items are of note, Mr. Matthews focused on Mr. Warlickâs community involvement in the following areas:
Chaired the Gaston County YMCA Board.
Co-chaired Major Giving for the United Wayâs annual campaign.
Co-chaired Gaston Day Schoolâs capital campaign.
Co-chaired The Citadelâs capital campaign and raised $250 million dollars on a goal of $175 million dollars for his school.
Served two terms on the Gaston Community Foundation Board and chaired the Investment Committee, which oversees more than $120 million dollars in investments.
âWhen Andy decides to do somethingâbe it business, the community, or a personal passionâhe is all in,â explained Mr. Matthews.â
Mr. Warlickâs vast involvement has led him to be the recipient of numerous distinguished awards. To reference a few of those awards:
The W.D. Kimbrell Lifetime Achievement Award
North Carolina State College of Textilesâs Leader of the Year Award
The Citadelâs School of Business Hall of Fame
Spirit of the Carolinas Award from the Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce
Recipient of the Long Leaf Pine Award
The J.D. Hicks Lifetime Achievement Awardâwhich is Gaston County YMCAâs highest award.
The Gaston Community Foundation is honored to induct Anderson Davis âAndyâ Warlick into the Sims Society.