LAYTON - The man who will probably forever be known as "Mr. United Way" of Davis County, Larry Burdett, was honored for his decades of service recently. Larry Burdett, who was the first director of what was then a fledgling Davis County United Way organization in 1974, was feted by Uniting Neighbors - a group which he helped found. That group, which encourages volunteerism and grass-roots self-help efforts starting in neighborhoods and beyond, honored Burdett as a part of its "Celebrating Volunteers" dinner meeting at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, here.

He received a plaque from that organization's board chairman Neal Humphrey and a figurine representing the family from Sharon Anderson, executive director of the Family Connection Center.

"As the president of United Way of Davis County for 31 years, Larry touched the lives of many people," Anderson said. "Working with United Way wasn't enough. He also helped to start social service agencies here in our county, among them are Safe Harbor, the Free Medical Clinic, Af-fordable Land Lease Homes and Uniting Neighbors."

In fact, Uniting Neighbors developed as the result of a 2000 needs assessment by United Way and other agencies. Issues such as child abuse, domestic violence, drug and alcohol addiction, poverty and crime were identified. These issues were studied by people in the school district, government, service agencies, churches, businesses and citizens at large, Anderson noted.

"As these studies were turned in, it was noticed that a breakdown of relationships in the family and community seemed to be the common thread running through the lives of people experiencing these troubles," she said.

"Larry led the way, along with many others, in identifying the Asset Based Com-munity Development program and bringing it to Davis County," Anderson continued. That has become Uniting Neighbors.

"He helped craft the goals of bringing all people from all walks of life together to share themselves with each other and to help each other solve problems within their own neighborhoods," she added.

Burdett retired several months ago, but is still assisting United Way in an advisory capacity. He is still working on a longtime dream to create a service center where various support agencies, including medical, would be brought together to serve those in need.



tbusselberg@davisclipper.com