When the French aristocrat Alexis de Tocqueville came to America in 1831 to study our democratic society, he was most impressed by the way he saw neighbor helping neighbor.

In his study, Democracy in America, he remarked, "When an American asks for the cooperation of his fellow citizens, it is seldom refused, and I have often seen it afforded spontaneously and with great good will."

The Alexis de Tocqueville Society of Iredell County includes in its membership United Way donors that contribute $10,000 or more to support the United Way's annual fund drive. These gifts have tremendous impact on community needs.

Our sincerest appreciation goes to these very generous donors and we honor this great spirit of volunteerism and charitable giving.

2007
Benefactors Club
Honoree

William A. Long

Bill Long grew up in Lancaster, SC where he learned the importance of giving to those in need from his mother. After graduating from East Carolina University and Louisiana State University School of Banking, Long began an active and successful career in banking. Long is currently President and CEO of Yadkin Valley Bank and Trust Company as well as Yadkin Valley Financial Corporation.

When Long moved his family to Statesville in the '80s, he quickly made it their home. He has been very involved in community work by serving on boards of non-profit agencies, but he has also been a person who works in the background helping people quietly.

Bill has devoted hundreds of volunteer hours in leadership roles with the United Way, YMCA of Iredell, Chamber of Commerce, our local American Red Cross and the Greater Carolinas American Red Cross. Bill says he wants to be just like his mother when he grows up because she devoted herself to helping others through her thirty years with the American Red Cross.

His civic responsibilities also include serving as treasurer for the Davis Hospital Foundation, a member of the finance committee for Barium Springs Home for Children, Statesville Airport Commission and Chairman of the ongoing Boys and Girls Club capital campaign.

Bill is known in our community for his compassion for his fellow man and for his strong commitment to improving life for others through his labors. He is the recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine awarded by NC Governor Jim Holshouser.

Bill and his wife, Suezi, have two sons, Will and Ben. They are members of the First Presbyterian Church where Bill has served as Elder, Deacon and Sunday School teacher.

Please join us in thanking William A. Long for his generous and untiring gift of himself for the benefit of our entire community.

"When an American asks for the cooperation of his fellow citizens, it is seldom refused, and I have often seen it afforded spontaneously and with great good will."

Alexis de Tocqueville, 1831