Dense Mechanical, which was formerly owned by the late Bob Dense, was recognized as one of the top five campaigners for the United Way this year, so Lawrence had an inkling as to why his wife asked him to join her at the annual meeting.

What he didn’t know was that she had an ulterior motive for getting him there.

“When my wife tells me to be somewhere, I am there,” Lawrence kidded. He said he figured out halfway into Mike Ruby’s speech by certain keywords that he was indeed the one Ruby was talking about as this year’s recipient.

Upon acceptance of the prestigious award, Lawrence told the crowd, “I’m at a loss for words.”

After the meeting concluded, he said receiving the 2026 Dick Lambertz Memorial Award was humbling.

“I’ve got big shoes to fill,” Lawrence said. He plans to display the award in his home office.

The late Dick Lambertz was known as “Mr. United Way.” The award was created in his honor to recognize individuals who have given significant long-term support to the United Way and served in key leadership roles not only in the United Way, but also the community. Lambertz also was a loving family man with a great sense of humor who was unwaveringly dedicated to the people of Enid.

United Way of Enid & Northwest Oklahoma’s board of directors felt Lawrence likewise embodied Lambertz’s spirit as he has generously given of his time to a wide range of community organizations such as Hospice Circle of Love, AMBUCS, Enid Regional Development Alliance, Leadership Greater Enid, Enid Rotary Club and Enid Higher Education Council.

“Through each role, he has left a lasting impact, helping to strengthen the fabric of the Enid community,” Ruby stated prior to the presentation to Lawrence. “His pride in his community is evident in all that he does, and his contributions continue to inspire those around him.”

Partnering with the community

In addition to conducting regular business for United Way of Enid and Northwest Oklahoma’s annual meeting, outgoing board president Alex Mantz was recognized for her leadership by incoming board president Jen Bauman.

Elections of board members and officers now coincide with the end of the calendar year rather than mid-year with the annual meeting, so Mantz officially passed the gavel to Bauman, who then addressed the audience by thanking all the sponsors, partners, volunteers and donors.

“You are the heartbeat of the United Way, and your support makes a difference. Because of you,” she said, “families have vital resources, individuals can succeed, and our neighbors receive necessary help through our 14 partner agencies.”

Those partner agencies currently are 4RKids, Booker T. Washington Community Center, Catholic Charities of the Archdioceses of OKC, Chisholm Trail Scouting America-Last Frontier Council, Community Development Support Association, Denny Price Family YMCA, Garfield County Child Advocacy Council’s CARE Campus, Human Services Alliance of Greater Enid, Loaves & Fishes of Northwest Oklahoma, Hedges Regional Speech and Hearing Center, Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Enid and North Central Oklahoma, Enid Salvation Army, YWCA Enid and Youth and Family Services of North Central Oklahoma.

2026 marks the 100th anniversary of United Way of Enid & Northwest Oklahoma. “For a full century, this community has chosen to come together through the United Way to meet real needs, strengthen families, and care for neighbors when it mattered most,” Bauman said. “From our beginnings as the Enid Community Chest in 1926 to the trusted organization we are today, one truth has remained constant: lasting change happens when leaders step forward. This centennial year, we are returning to our roots with the launch of a renewed Red Feather Campaign.”

The red feather serves as a symbol of generosity, accountability, and shared responsibility, she said, adding today it calls for unified community giving.

Bauman then stated United Way of Enid & Northwest Oklahoma has a combined need of $1.5 million to continue operating and serving those in the Enid area.

She introduced the new campaign model for the second century of service called Campaign Champions to ensure momentum, visibility and shared ownership throughout the year, and told the crowd more details would be revealed in the weeks to come.

United Way of Enid & Northwest Oklahoma Executive Director Dan Schiedel, who is in his ninth year with Enid’s United Way, spoke next, taking a moment to pause and remember three stalwart businessmen who passed in 2025 — Bob Dense, Dr. Jerry Blankenship and Paul Allen.

Dense and Blankenship shared a special bond with local attorney Dick McKnight and were affectionally known as “The Three Amigos,” representing the best of what it means to live united, Schiedel said.

To that end, he asked McKnight as the last surviving member to the stage to receive a special 3 Amigos Recognition Award, much to the shock of McKnight who had even less words to say than Lawrence.

Members rolling off the board were recognized during the annual meeting, including Lawrence, along with the Slater family who had served as the 2025 campaign co-chairs; donors called Tocqueville Society members who give $10,000 annually; companies with 100% employee participation; agencies known as Pacesetters; and NextGen individuals who have stepped up as community-minded leaders.

Before concluding the annual meeting and award ceremony, Bauman shared a video by the 2026 Red Feather Campaign chair Courtney Dennis, who was unable to attend in person since she was in Washington, D.C., with other delegates from Enid advocating for Northwest Oklahoma communities.

“Together, we are creating lasting change and building a thriving community, because united is the way,” Schiedel said.

Written by Ruth Ann Replogle and published in the Enid News & Eagle