During Thursday’s Red Feather volunteer award luncheon, three recipients who were formally honored drew applause from the audience, while another late volunteer who was dearly loved, brought tears.

The annual luncheon, conducted by the United Way of the Bradford Area at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, honored George Duke, owner of Zippo Manufacturing Co., and Mark Paup, CEO of Zippo, for both the company’s and employees’ steadfast, longtime support of the United Way.

Lisa Johnson, CEO of the Bradford Ecumenical Home, was given the Excellence in Representation award, created to recognize an outstanding agency representative who best exemplifies United Way’s mission within his or her own organization, among other attributes. The annual awards ceremony, established in 1999, has recognized outstanding volunteers and leaders for the United Way during the past three decades.

But it was the late United Way volunteer, Mike Walter, who brought heartfelt comments from Dr. James Evans at the beginning of the ceremony, and United Way executive director, Mandi Wilton Davis, at the end of the event. Walter, who was an enthusiastic special needs volunteer for the United Way, died Sunday. Davis choked up with tears in remembering Walter’s love of raising money for the United Way, as well as eating hot dogs at events.

Evans, a former United Way board member, Red Feather Award recipient and Pitt-Bradford administrator, said Walter was well-known in the community and knew many people by name.

.“I’m sure he would have remembered everyone in this room, as well,” Evans said to the large audience in the Mukaiyama Room. “The line of people at the funeral home was a testimony to how much Mike was loved. Before we move into the invocation, let’s take a moment of silence” in his memory.

During the ceremony, the first to be honored with the Red Feather Award was Duke, on behalf of his company, Zippo, and its impact on the United Way. Duke handed much of the credit for the company’s strong support of the United Way to his late grandfather and founder of Zippo, George G. Blaisdell.

“Certainly, as a corporation at Zippo, we had a great, great teacher,” Duke said in referring to his grandfather. “My grandfather taught (his children and grandchildren) what Bradford means to Zippo and how they go hand-in-hand in the success of our corporation.”

He said many in the community likely don’t realize just how many organizations and entities are helped by the United Way.

“It’s just a fantastic organization and I’m very proud to receive this award today on behalf of the corporation,” Duke said. “We as the corporation match, every year, what our employees donate. “We’ve done that for many, many years … I wish my grandfather could have been here today to see all the years the company has given and the employees have given” to the United Way.

As CEO of Zippo, Paup said he was privileged to accept the award on behalf of the employees.

“When I first started at Zippo 25 years ago, it was mandatory” to donate to the United Way, he recalled. While that has changed, the company’s employees continue to give, which Paup believes is a reflection of work provided by Davis, her board and volunteers.

“I think the communication, information and knowledge the employees gain (from the United Way) encourages them to give because they see the impact and feel the impact,” Paup said. “It’s a great, great day for our employees, they’re going to estatic and thrilled.”

Johnson was the next to receive her plaque, the Excellence in Representation Award, for serving as a strong advocate of the United Way’s mission. Davis had noted Johnson has been a strong advocate of the United Way’s mission and offers her expertise to several of its collaborative efforts.

Johnson thanked and recognized her “wonderful leadership team” at Bradford Ecumenical Home in addition to the 240 employees who “work countless hours to provide exceptional care and services to over 160 seniors we serve on any given day.”

She also thanked the board for the opportunity “to lead such a wonderful organization” that will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year.

“To receive this special recognition during the month of May in which we celebrate Older Americans Month, is a reminder that you’re never too old or too young to participate in activities that can enrich your physical, mental and emotional well-being,” Johnson said.

She also encouraged people to visit the “As I Age” wall, currently located near Tops Friendly Markets at 105 Main St. in Bradford. The wall comprises “As I Age” comments from senior citizens. Any passerby may participate by picking up a piece of chalk at the wall and completing the sentence “As I age …”