FAMILY SERVICE RECOGNIZES JESSE AND JIM MILLIS AND PAT AND PETE CROSS
WITH “FOR LOVE OF FAMILY” AWARDS
SEDGEFIELD, NC—The two foundations of Family Service of the Piedmont, Inc. honored Jesse and Jim Millis and Pat and Pete Cross with the fifth annual “for Love of Family” Awards at its Annual Meeting today, held at Sedgefield Country Club.
Family Service of High Point Foundation, Inc. presented the award to Jesse Millis and a posthumous award to her late husband, Jim Millis, who passed away last month. The “for Love of Family” Award recognizes their longtime support of the agency and other philanthropic and volunteer efforts aimed at building safe and healthy families and a strong High Point community.
The Millises’ involvement with Family Service of High Point began several decades ago. Jesse and Jim Millis were instrumental in helping the agency grow and flourish, contributing financial support to ensure the Slane Center headquarters and Carpenter House shelter for battered women came to fruition in the early and mid 1990s and also through volunteering their time.
Staff members fondly recall the numerous hours Jesse Millis devoted over the years to putting personal notes on Annual Campaign solicitation letters to help rally financial support for the agency.
Jesse and Jim Millis have shown their “love of family” and passion for helping others in many other ways that extend beyond Family Service. In 1989, they began their own family foundation, which made grants to worthy organizations with an emphasis on High Point and North Carolina.
Jesse and Jim Millis were key players in establishing the High Point Community Foundation in the early 1990s and then jump-started the foundation’s assets with a large gift in 1997. Last spring the Millises decided to transfer the entire assets of their family foundation to the High Point Community Foundation.
Their generosity to the High Point community is also evident at High Point Regional Health System, High Point University and United Way of Greater High Point, where their names grace the hospital’s Health Education Center, the university’s Athletic and Convocation Center and the United Way headquarters.
Friends of the Millises point to their commitment to helping others without regard to fanfare or recognition. Jim’s volunteerism included chairman of the Medical Foundation of North Carolina, chairman of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust Executive Council and many roles at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church.
“Jesse quietly goes about her business of tutoring children in our schools and many other acts of helping her neighbors and less fortunate and needy people,” said neighbor and friend Chris Greene, who serves as a Family Service of High Point Foundation Trustee. “She is ready and willing to come to the aid of all of us when trouble knocks on our door, and does so quietly and efficiently.”
Adds Paul Lessard, executive director of the High Point Community Foundation, “Jim and Jesse Millis have made building community and positively impacting the quality of life in High Point the focus of their giving over the years. Their investments have stressed helping young people by providing resources to make their lives healthier; by giving all youngsters equal access to educational opportunities and finally by promoting spiritual and moral values.”
Family & Children’s Service of Greater Greensboro Foundation, Inc. presented Pat and Pete Cross with the “for Love of Family” award to recognize many years of service and support to the agency and their shining example of volunteer leadership in Greensboro.
Pete joined the Board of what was then Family & Children’s Service of Greater Greensboro in the mid 1980s (the agency affiliated with Family Service of High Point in 1999 to become Family Service of the Piedmont). Pat said she felt drawn to the agency because of her career as a family therapist and her conviction that “all persons deserve to live happy, healthy lives.” She added, “Family Service serves as a catalyst, enabling people to help themselves and evolve into successful family and community members.”
Pete served as a Board Member of Family & Children’s Service for more than a half dozen years, including as vice chair and secretary. His efforts were recognized by the agency in the late 1980s with the Jim Isler Award.
“My passion is about equal opportunity for all and an intolerance for bigotry or any abuse of power, including that of parents over children or husbands with spouses,” Pete explained.
Pat’s involvement began as a Board Member of the Greensboro agency for most of the 1990s and as Board Member of Family Service of the Piedmont for the past several years, including serving as chair in 01-02 and vice chair in 00-01. She also has been an active member of the Guild of Family & Children’s Service, serving as president in 00-01.
In addition to their time and talents, the Crosses have been generous in their treasure as well, contributing a naming gift to the campaign to build the agency’s Washington Street facility in Greensboro, serving as hosts for Oyster Roast fundraisers in both Greensboro and High Point and sponsoring various agency and foundation events such as the Guild Golf Tournament and the Guild Fashion Show.
The Crosses are involved in a myriad of other community and charitable endeavors. Pete is active in the UNCG Excellence Foundation, NCCJ, Guilford College Board of Visitors, Rotary Club, and United Way of Greater High Point’s Board and Campaign Cabinet.
Pat’s volunteerism includes the UNCG Board of Visitors, Greensboro United Way Community Impact Council, Chair of the United Way Success at School Project, Founding Board Member of Youth Care Inc., and a past member of the Greensboro Junior Woman’s Council and Junior League.
“I have known Pat and Pete Cross for many years through my involvement in Family & Children’s Service,” said Steve Hassenfelt, past board member of Family & Children’s Service. “I have admired how they have unselfishly given of themselves to help other people. What makes them truly special, however, is that they epitomize the grace and humility that we all strive to achieve in helping others and in particular their service to families. We are lucky to have them in our community.”
The “for Love of Family” award represents the highest honor given to individuals from Greensboro and High Point who make a significant impact on Family Service of the Piedmont and their community in helping to build safe and healthy families. 
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