May 26, 2016
United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region hosted its Annual Membership Meeting and Campaign Celebration at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on Thursday, May 19th. Reflecting the Mission Possible campaign theme, the event recognized local contributors, volunteers and partners for their dedicated service as agents of change.
“We are here today to honor those who accepted an important assignment to improve lives and create positive change in our community; those who embarked on a mission to uncover valuable resources, gather evidence of critical humanitarian needs and recruit others who want to make a difference. Each of you were uniquely qualified to achieve this mission because you care. Your service widens the scope of possibility and sharpens United Way’s focus on creating long lasting community impact,” said Ginna Holleman, local United Way CEO as she welcomed guests.
Disclosing the event’s top secret, an attaché containing the total of funds collected during the year was delivered by a disguised special agent. Opening the package with careful anticipation, Campaign Chairman Norm Brumblay revealed the total of $1,061,557. “This year’s total is the sum of 2015 – 2016 campaign revenue plus $130,000 in nonprofit funding that was received from Montgomery County and distributed in the fall of 2015,” explained Brumblay. “We are grateful to each individual, business and organization for your contributions, as well as for the opportunity to expand United Way’s revenue potential through the past year’s partnership with Montgomery County. The collective impact advances United Way’s ability to accomplish our mission, yet the challenge to meet the escalating needs in our community continues to increase. We ask you to return to the field, armed with an even stronger commitment to secure much needed support for valuable programs and better the lives of those in need.”
Annually, United Way presents campaign awards to recognize outstanding achievements of local volunteers and partners. New this year, was the presentation of the Welch Founders Award, established in memory of Mr. Robert R. Welch to annually recognize exemplary support of a Leadership Society member of United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region. Mr. Welch was among the founding leaders of the local United Way, initially chartered in 1956 as the United Givers Fund of Clarksville and Montgomery County. He served on the original Board of Directors as Treasurer in 1956 and remained a loyal supporter and Leadership Society member of United Way until his passing in 2015. Honoring his legacy, the inaugural Welch Founders Award was presented to Mr. Jack. B. Turner.
Top honors were presented to Legends Bank for earning the coveted Ben C. Parks Award, recognizing 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 event, other prestigious awards and recognitions were presented including:
Highest Giving Campaign: Trane
Each year, Trane/Ingersoll Rand continues to demonstrate its community commitment through generous employee and corporate giving. Again earning the number one spot as the campaign with the highest total giving, Trane and its employees contributed $180,806 to the 2015-2016 campaign.
Inspire Award: Montgomery County Government
Honors and recognizes a workplace that inspires a total LIVE UNITED commitment within its business and in the community. Montgomery County leadership and its employees demonstrated and inspired true united spirit through its giving, volunteerism and advocacy efforts.
Way to Grow: Hendrickson
Recognizes a business/organization that has demonstrated considerable campaign growth or runs a United Way campaign for the first time. In its campaign, Hendrickson achieved a 715% increase in campaign giving over the previous year, raising total contributions from $2,453 in 2014-2015 to $20,000 in 2015-2016.
Ambassador’s Award: Don Jenkins
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.
Volunteer of the Year: Kathee Marco
Presented to a dedicated volunteer contributing extraordinary service to United Way and our community.
Outstanding Board Member of the Year: Michelle Dickerson
Each year, United Way Board of Directors and Staff recognize an outstanding board member who serves far above and beyond the call of duty.
Director’s Award: Mid-Cumberland Human Resource Agency
This award is presented to the agency that exemplifies the highest standard and ideals of a United Way partner and which, through its practices and commitment, serves as a role model for other agencies.
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 and those re-elected include: Elizabeth Black of Montgomery County Government, David Meddick of Publix, Sabrina Joiner of Legends Bank, Tom Kane of Fortera Credit Union, Martias Kendrick of the City of Clarksville Department of Housing and Community Development, Shawn Molsberger of Tennova Healthcare – Clarksville, Darryl Nelson of Bridgestone Metalpha and Kim Robertson of Workforce Essentials.
The event concludes United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region’s 2015-2016 campaign season. United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region, its partner programs and contributors work together to advance the common good. Campaign funds are distributed to well performing local partner programs serving education, health and financial stability initiatives in Montgomery, Houston and Stewart County communities. For more information, visit www.liveunitedclarksville.
