It appeared to be a typical St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation Board meeting, but for longtime community volunteer Don Hofmann, May 27 became a date to remember.
In a surprise ceremony held in the St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation boardroom, Hofmann was awarded membership into the Second Wind Hall of Fame.
The Second Wind Hall of Fame honors retirees for outstanding service to their community. To be nominated for Second Wind membership, a person must be retired, at least 60 years old and have volunteered in three different Thermal Belt organizations for at least three years.
With a framed award from the Second Wind Hall of Fame, members of the St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation celebrated while Carolyn Jones presented the award.
“Don has given countless hours to the St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation and to our community,” said Jones. “We are delighted to honor this kind of community service from Don.”
Hofmann has served on the St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation Board for two years and is currently Vice Chair of the Foundation Board and Chair of the Marketing Committee. With Hofmann as the Marketing Committee Chair, the St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation is working on innovative ideas to move the Foundation forward and was instrumental in the development of the Foundation’s new logo. He also serves on the St. Luke’s Hospital Board of Trustees.
His volunteer commitments don’t stop here. Hofmann has served as Chair of the Polk County Library Board and served on the boards of Steps to Hope, Isothermal Community College, The Foothills Chamber of Commerce and KidSenses Children’s Museum. He is also a mentor of SCORE of Western North Carolina.
Hofmann and his wife, Denise, moved to Polk County from Atlanta in 2004 where he was the Executive Vice President of Marketing and Advertising for Simmons Bedding. He graduated from Georgetown University and received his Masters Degree from Wake Forest University. He enjoys spending time with his family, golfing and working on his computer.
“Don is so deserving of this award and acknowledgement,” said Meshelle Colvin, St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation Executive Director. “He has played such an important role in the development of our Marketing Committee. We are so fortunate to have him as a member of our Board and our community.”

– article submitted
by Jennifer Wilson