Nancy Scott Devorris got involved in the community when she moved here.
"I was young when I came to Altoona (she was 19). I thought this was a good way to meet people and I like to be involved. I have good input, know what I'm talking about and am interested," she said.
Her specialty has been getting involved and motivating others. For that she will receive the WISE Women of Blair County's Community Service Volunteer award.
"Nancy has given endless hours of her time to enumerable nonprofit and arts affiliated agencies," said Ralph J. Albarano Jr., one person who nominated her for the award. "She brings the dedication and tenacity to accomplish whatever goals and challenges are assigned to her."
She says that she is most proud of her efforts in helping to establish both the Central Pennsyl-vania Community Foundation and the Founda-tion for Life/ARHS, her work with the Grand Destiny Campaign and her having been chosen to receive an Honorary Doctorate from Mount Aloysius College at its May 2010 graduation.
She admits she has a knack for raising funds.
"They're all needy organizations and they all hit people in a different way. If they don't want to give to one, they might want to give to another," she said, adding that at one time, she suggested people donate a dollar a day, and they did.
She's also humble.
"I was very flattered with the size of Altoona that I was one that was selected," she said. "I felt my hard work in the community has paid off. But I feel there's probably a lot more people that have done more than I have."
According to information from WISE Women of Blair County, she serves as the vice president of the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation and as treasurer of the Agudath Achim Sisterhood.
Her board memberships include the Foundation for Life of the Altoona Regional Health System, the Blair County Arts Foundation, the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Agudath Achim Synagogue and the Greater Altoona Jewish Federation.
Devorris, 67, of Altoona has also served as a board member of the Jewish Memorial Center, Family Services of Blair County and Family Planning. She has held the offices of president of Hadassah and of the Altoona Symphony Orches-tra. She served as event chairwoman for Second Mile and as a volunteer for Call for Action. And she has also given generously of her time, energy and talents to Penn State Altoona as co-chairperson of the Renaissance Dinner and a member of the steering cabinets of the Grand Destiny Campaign and the 60th Anniversary Celebration.
Devorris describes her motivation by stating that, "I am committed to helping organizations that strive to improve the lives of those in our community. I enjoy participating in their missions and am confident when I campaign for funds to secure their futures," according to a WISE Women release.
She was born in New Jersey.
Nancy and her husband, Don, are the parents of Andrea Cohen, wife of Michael and mother of Allison and Scott, and Phillip, husband of Colleen and father of Max, Claudia and Felicia.
