Dave Downey has been involved with United Way of Champaign County for nearly 50 years.
The highlight of all the good he has helped accomplish?
“When things were hostile racially here in the late ’60s, there was a real battle to get the Urban League as a United Way agency,” Downey said. “We made it happen. We made a real statement by doing that. And it did make a difference. There’s no doubt the United Way was a major player in helping the welfare of our community.”
Downey, 74, and his wife, Jane Hays — both longtime United Way volunteers — will be presented the Pillar Lifetime Giving Award on Thursday at Memorial Stadium.