Ron Wanek Gets Philanthropy Award from Speakers’ Group

August 7, 2017  by Larry Thomas in Community / Charitable Support, Industry, Special Events   

The organization said the award honors individuals who have made a significant contribution by being examples of philanthropy and stewardship. Its purpose is to acknowledge those individuals inside and outside of NSA who demonstrate the power of giving for the sake of giving, with no expectation of receiving in return.

“The Philanthropist of the Year Award recognizes Ron for his generosity, a man who knows no boundaries, living his life by the guiding principle that a rising tide raises all boats,” said Qubein, who is president of High Point University, one of many organizations Wanek has supported over the years. “Throughout his endeavors, Ron has worked tirelessly and has given generously to a multitude of his favorite causes.”

In 1998, Wanek and his wife, Joyce, started the Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation, making personal gifts of tens of millions of dollars to a multitude of organizations in the areas of the furniture industry, education, helping children in need, the arts, honoring our Veterans, and medical research - with a focus on finding cures to some of our most horrendous diseases.

Most recently, the Wanek family created a $50 million cornerstone foundation grant to The City of Hope to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. Additional grants for medical research include tens of millions of dollars to The Mayo Clinic Heart Research Program, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and other medical research organizations across the country.

In education, the family has focused on supporting programs in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Additionally, the Wanek family has provided millions of dollars in funds and in-kind services to assist local schools and universities, and more than 1,000 scholarships during the past ten years to help offset the escalating costs of higher education.

Each year, Ashley awards more than 100 scholarships to children of Ashley Furniture employees.

“Being selected as the 2017 Philanthropist of the Year recipient is a humbling moment for myself and my family. I am truly honored to receive such a prestigious award,” said Ron Wanek.