John Willingham of Advance was named Philanthropist of the Year at the annual dinner of the Yadkin County Community Foundation held October 4 at the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center. This is the first year the YCCF has given out the award, which recognizes a person who has generously shared their time, talents and treasures for the betterment of the Yadkin County community.
“I wasn’t born in Yadkin County, but I had the great good fortune to fall in love with a woman who was,” admitted Willingham as he accepted the award. “I’ve lived here for a number of years and think of it as my home. Filled with wonderful people with room to breathe, I want to do what I can to make it the best place it can be.”
This award honors perseverance and commitment to improving the quality of life in our community and efforts directed at creating a better and brighter tomorrow. Willingham’s community involvement includes being a charter member and past president of Yadkinville Rotary Club, board member of Yadkin Chamber of Commerce, board member and past president of Brenner Children’s Hospital Advisory Board, president of the Yadkin Arts Council, and chairman of the capital campaign in progress. A graduate of Yale University, John is president of Indera Mills Company. He and his wife Donna have a daughter Virginia who is currently in graduate school at UNCG.
