Dr. David Bruton, a long-time pediatrician and devotee to children and needy families, received the the United Way’s Cornerstone Award during a roast/toast Thursday at Little River Resort.

Bruton, 76, was the eighth recipient of the organization’s highest honor which recognizes “an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment, creativity, leadership, volunteerism, inspiration and sustained service with broad scope of impact on the quality of life in a community.”

Past winners of the Cornerstone Award include Ernest “Ernie” Hanford; Dr. John Dempsey, president of Sandhills Community College; women’s golf legend Peggy Kirk Bell; Felton Capel, well-known business and civic leader; FirstHealth CEO Charles Frock; David Woronoff, publisher of The Pilot; and the Rev. Dr. Hal Hyde, a retired minister and civic leader.

Bruton’s toasters included his sister, Ebbie Monroe, his three grandchildren, and his friends Mark Wethington and Gerald Galloway. Galloway was pinch-hitting for Dr. Bill Stewart, who was ill and couldn’t attend.

Current Southern Pines Councilman Mike Fields emceed the event.

The toasters took light-hearted jabs at Bruton, many remembering times when they had been “Brutonized,” or being unknowingly used by Bruton to accomplish one of his goals.

Nearly a half-century ago Dr. Bruton founded Sandhills Pediatrics. Since then he has been an active community leader who has contributed countless hours to help build a stronger community.

Most notably he founded the Moore Free Care Clinic with Wethington in 2004, which grew from one employee to an indispensable part of the county’s medical community.

He also worked tireless to help integrate Moore County Schools and has been a long-time supporter of Pinecrest High School.

In addition to kidding Bruton, the toasters also praised him for his compassion, his diplomacy and ability to get others to believe in things that they otherwise may not believe can be done.

Contact Tom Embrey at tembrey@thepilot.com.