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“Charlie Routh does more good for more people than any one person I’ve ever known,” said Gordon Washington, trustee board president of the Shepherd’s Center of Greensboro.

One of the highlights of the 24th annual celebration of the Shepherd’s Center of Greensboro on Oct. 10 at Starmount Presbyterian Church was special recognition for Charlie and Mary Routh.

They were given a plaque that said: “Presented to Charles and Mary Routh for your longtime service and the establishment of the Routh Endowment Fund to ensure a strong future for SCG.

In recent years, the Rouths challenged Shepherd’s Center to match their $100,000 over the next two years.

The Shepherd Center accepted the challenge.

Lia Miller, executive director of SCG, reported that the goal was reached and that because of the generosity of the Rouths and others, there is an endowment of more than $200,000 to help SCG with long-range planning and operating costs.

The Rouths have been involved with Shepherd’s Center practically since its beginning, Miller said.

“We are so honored to have them on the Shepherd’s Center team,” she said. “Their support has made a tremendous difference, not only for past years, but for many years to come.”

She said Charlie Routh took on many leadership positions over the years — president of the board of trustees, SCG president and chairman of the golf tournaments 2007-10.

Miller also paid tribute to Mary Routh. “She’s a quiet person, sort of behind the scenes,” Miller said. “But you know the saying: ‘Behind every great man is a great woman.’

“If it wasn’t for Mary, we might not have a Charlie. She’s the catalyst for the Routh team and important in the good work they do.”
Charlie Routh is also well-known for going the extra mile in helping others with fix-it projects and minor repairs in their homes.

Miller also praised the efforts of Velma Speight, who served two terms as president of GSC.

“She personifies leadership, and I see her as such a strong role model for me personally and for other women in our community and beyond,” she said.

Miller said it was because of Speight’s strong leadership that SCG achieved so much these past two years, including meeting the Routh challenge.

Another highlight of the 24th annual celebration of SCG was a lively musical performance, “Motown’s Best,” by the national award-winning Richard B. Harrison Players from N.C. A&T’s Theatre Arts Program.

The group has won numerous regional and national awards at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
Donna Bradley is in charge of this group of performers.

They sang with style and elegance such ’60s hits as “My Boyfriend’s Back,” “My Guy,” “Please Mr. Postman” and “Heat Wave.”

Susanna Steele played the piano for the event. She is pursuing her doctoral degree in performance from UNCG and is a piano faculty member at The Music Academy of North Carolina.

The program ended with everyone singing, “Bless Be the Tie That Binds.”

For more information on the Richard B. Harrison Players, contact Donna Bradley at 334-7852 or 988-9085.

For Greensboro Shepherd’s Center information, call 378-0766

To suggest a person or organization that is “Making a Difference” in Guilford County, contact Peggy Longmire at pwlongmire@triad.rr.com or 288-9040.