United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is pleased to feature the first in a series of Loyal Contributor Spotlights - recognizing generous individuals who have been contributing to United Way for ten years or more.

Beginning this year, we are asking individuals to indicate if they have been giving to United Way for at least ten years. (This may include giving to United Way in other communities - as well as those who have been giving right here.)

Loyal Contributor Recognition levels include:
10 years = Bronze
15 years = Silver
20 years = Gold
25 years = Diamond

Sara and Gary Ahr - Diamond Donors!
Although you'd never know it to look at them - Sara and Gary Ahr have been giving to United Way for more than 25 years!

The couple started giving when they became the coordinators for the United Way employee campaigns at the two different companies, early in their careers. Sara was initially drafted into her role, but decided if she was going to do it, she wanted to do it right. She says it was the tours of United Way partner agencies that really got her engaged in United Way. Gary volunteered to coordinate the campaign at his worksite because he knew it could be better than it was and used both analysis and enthusiasm to make their employee campaign much more effective.

"When we first started out - we didn't have much money, but we always felt good about our gifts and the difference that we could make in our community. The option of using payroll deductions made it easy for us to increase our gifts each year," said Gary. Today they are Tocqueville Society members - and Sara is one of the founding members of Women of Tocqueville.

Sara has also been a volunteer in the allocations process. She is a great advocate for the value of each dollar entrusted to United Way to help provide vitally needed services for individuals and families throughout our community.

Gary has run a successful financial planning practice for the past 28 years and has been recognized as one of the best financial advisors in the Dallas area. In his professional life, he encourages people to save and make their money work for them so they can look forward to their future with a sense of security and optimism. He also encourages friends and colleagues to invest in our community - including gifts to United Way.

"It is a wonderful feeling to be able to help others in our community," Gary and Sara said in agreement. "We know from experience that United Way is an excellent steward of our contributions."

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas thanks Sara and Gary for Living United for more than 25 years.