July 1, 2014
United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region hosted its Annual Membership Meeting and Campaign Celebration at Riverview Inn on Tuesday, May 19, to recognize those who have contributed, volunteered and partnered with the local organization throughout the 2013-2014 campaign season.
Supporters cheered as ball players from the local Buddy Ball program revealed the campaign fundraising total, $957,756, displayed on the back of their jerseys. United Way presents campaign awards to recognize outstanding achievements of local volunteers and partners.
Once again, top honors were presented to Legends Bank for earning the coveted Ben C. Parks Award, given to the workplace partner with the Best Overall Campaign. Recipients must have achieved 95 percent or greater of employee giving potential, an increase in number of volunteers, an increase in leadership donors and must have run a campaign for more than three years.
Throughout the evening, other prestigious awards and recognitions were presented including:
Director’s Award: Bethesda Community Mission
This award is presented to the agency that exemplifies the higest standard and ideals of a United Way partner and which, through its practices and commitment, serves as a role model for other agencies.
Inspire Award: Publix Supermarkets
Honors and recognizes a workplace that inspires a total LIVE UNITED commitment within its business and in the community. Publix is UWGCR’s second largest campaign with a total contribution of $137,375. Of 278 employees in both stores combined, 228 participated and gave an average contribution of $320 per employee. 30 of those were Leadership Society members who give $1000 or more.
Volunteer of the Year: Kathleen Hayes
Presented to a dedicated volunteer contributing extraordinary service to United Way and our community.
Way to Grow: Clarksville-Montgomery County School System
Recognizes a business/organization that has demonstrated considerable campaign growth or runs a United Way campaign for the first time. In its campaign, the school system contributed $86,560 with a 49 percent increase from last year.
Top Campaign: Trane
Each year, Trane/Ingersoll Rand continues to demonstrate its community commitment through generous employee and corporate giving. Earning the number one spot as highest campaign for the third year in a row, Trane and its employees contributed $150,656 to the 2013-2014 campaign.
Ambassador’s Award: Vince Hartley & Norman Rubio
The Ambassador’s Award was established by the Board of Directors as a way to recognize an executive officer, president, manager or director of a company or organization who exemplifies the qualities of a United Way Ambassador through their example of leadership, involvement in United Way and the community and promotion of United Way within their organization and the community
Outstanding Board Member of the Year: Don Shrader
Each year, United Way Board of Directors and Staff recognize an outstanding board member who serves far above and beyond the call of duty.
New Board Members Elected:
Additionally, numerous other volunteers were recognized for their service, and incoming members of the Board of Directors were installed for a term of three years. Newly elected Directors include:
Mark Marsh | Gateway Medical Center
Angie Gardner | Cumberland Bank and Trust
Kathy Ellis | Ellis, Sneed & Struble
Carol Daniels | The Leaf Chronicle
Katharine Purnell | Daymar Institute
Lauren Winters | City of Clarksville