Healthcare Foundation Establishes Annual Community Leader Award

SHELBY, NC - The HealthCare Foundation of Cleveland County, in partnership with the Craver family of Shelby has established an annual award honoring long-time community leader and advocate, Adelaide Austell Craver. The Adelaide Austell Craver “Heart for The Community” Award will recognize an outstanding individual (living or deceased), business or organization that has consistently demonstrated their “heart for the community,” by their leadership, service and example to improve the health and well-being for the citizens of Cleveland County.

Dr. William “Jack” Weller was honored as the inaugural recipient at the Foundation’s annual gala on Saturday, March 1, 2025. In making the presentation, Newton Craver, son of namesake Adelaide Craver, said “This award honors individuals whose selfless contributions inspire us all to nurture our own 'Heart for the Community.' Dr. Weller's lifelong dedication to caring service, particularly with The Boys and Girls Club of Cleveland County, embodies precisely the quiet, impactful leadership this recognition aims to celebrate."

For many years, until her passing in 2019, Adelaide Craver was instrumental in numerous community projects and organizations including Destination Cleveland County, the Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce, Uptown Shelby Association, Shelby Historic Preservation, Junior Charity League and the Cleveland County Heart Association. Her quiet leadership garnered numerous awards including the “Athena” award from the Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce and the “Order of the Long Leaf Pine,” North Carolina’s highest civilian honor.

“When the Healthcare Foundation proposed an award in my mother's name, my family briefly hesitated, knowing she would have certainly deflected such recognition to others who worked alongside her. Yet, in the spirit of the award, we know she would have taken great pleasure in celebrating those who serve our community with distinction,” said Newton Craver.

In accepting the inaugural award, Jack Weller said,” Since 1994 I have served on the Board of the Boys & Girls Club and watched it grow from one building serving 130 kids a day to seven sites across the county serving over 350 kids every day. In 2019, Jim Quinalin and I helped to start the Sons of American Legion in Shelby. Our first project was to place flags on the graves of over 1,200 graves of veterans at the City Cemeteries.

Also in 2019, I served a three-year term as the president of the North Carolina Lutheran in Men Mission with our goal being to develop the next generation of leaders in every congregation. I am humbled to be selected as the first recipient of the Adelaide Austell Craver Heart for The Community Award and would have loved to have two people standing beside me to share this moment this evening -- Adelaide Craver and my wife Barb.”

Announcing the establishment of this new annual community leader award at the HealthCare Foundation of Cleveland County’s 2025 gala, Executive Director Dick Baker said, “Once in a generation an exceptional community leader comes along – a leader who sets the example for others to emulate, oftentimes quietly working behind the scenes, not seeking attention, but nevertheless making a lasting impact on their community. One such woman was Adelaide Craver. We are honored to partner with the Craver family in presenting this annual award honoring an outstanding community leader.”

In addition to the custom designed signature trophy, a donation is made in honor of the recipient to a local charity of their choice.