Communitarian Award 
Community is defined as: a group of people living in the same locality. - a group having a similarity and sharing common interest.- people living in a specific region under relatively similar conditions.
Throughout its history, Anderson has been blessed with outstanding leaders who have pioneered thoughts, ideas and initiatives that have resulted in our community being a better, brighter, and healthier community in which to live, work and raise families. Many of these persons are remembered for or are associated with one particular cause or initiative in Anderson . There are other leaders who have distinguished themselves by their work, guidance and philanthropy for all segments of the Anderson community. These leaders possess one common trait- they understand that they must work and support initiatives that benefit all of the community- every neighborhood, every faith, every organization, and every individual. These COMMUNITARIANS set the example for others by their genuine care for the Anderson community.
The vision of United Way of Anderson County is to be a leader of a community collaborative effort to create and sustain a healthy, secure, and caring Anderson County. Recipients of the Communitarian Award exemplify this vision through their dedication and commitment to helping make Anderson County become the best it can be.
On January 20, 2011 United Way of Anderson County honored Dr. William "Mack" Burris as the 2010 Communitarian at a dinner reception.
For much of his life Burris, who is 88, had two careers. In 1950 he started practicing veterinary medicine in Anderson, which he did until 1982, except for two years he served in the Korean War. He began nine terms on the Anderson County District Five Board of Trustees in 1970. He served for 12 years, then was chairman until November 2010.
Burriss helped start Anderson County’s first animal shelter in 1975. He is married to the former Helen LeGendre of Birmingham AL. They have one daughter, Cynthis B. Chamblee; three granddaughters, Jen and Wendy and Lauren Chamblee Heaton who is married to Corey Heaton of Chester, SC. They are the great grandparents of Rylan Heaton.
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