AWARDS
UWSM is very grateful to the community and honored to recognize all those who support our work.
LIVE UNITED Awards
This award recognizes an organization or individual who embodies the mission, vision, and goals of United Way and truly lives out the mission of GIVE, ADVOCATE, VOLUNTEER.
Winner: Indiana Michigan Power’s Cook Nuclear Plant
Winner: Eduardo Lopez
Whirlpool Community Commitment Award
Named after Whirlpool Corporation and its employees, this prestigious award recognizes a company and its employees for the exceptional ways in which they give back to their communities and make a significant impact specifically in Southwest Michigan, or within Southwest Michigan and the communities in their company’s footprint.
Winner: United Federal Credit Union
David J. Weichhand Award
Named after the late President & CEO of United Federal Credit Union, this award honors a company that infuses the same creativity and excitement into employee campaigns that he did to achieve success.
Winner: Kinexus Group
Judge Susan L. Dobrich Volunteer Leadership Award for Cass County
In partnership with United Way, the McLoughlin Family Foundation created this award in 2022 to recognize Judge Dobrich’s leadership in Cass County and to honor other leaders like her within the county who exemplify tremendous leadership through volunteerism.
Finalists & Nominating Organizations:
Leigh Goyings - Helping Hands of Cass County
Tim Hulett - Cassopolis Public Schools Foundation
Roseann Marchetti - Van Buren/Cass District Health Department
Carl Ross - Cass County Sheriff’s Department
Winner: Leigh Goyings
Margaret B. Upton Volunteer Leadership Award
This prestigious lifetime achievement award recognizes a Berrien County volunteer who demonstrates long-standing contributions through their volunteer efforts. This year’s winner is the 43rd recipient of this award, which is presented in partnership with the Frederick S. Upton Foundation.
Nominees & Nominating Organizations:
Scott Bradford - Berrien Community Foundation
Jim Brooks - The Mason Jar Cafe
Miguel Clark - Sisters From Another Mother Organization
Ethel Clark-Griffin - Sisters From Another Mother Organization
Kathy Craig - New Heights CCDA
Maristella Godinho - Our House Of the Way and Whirlpool
Les Knickerbocker - St. Augustine Episcopal Church
Pam Pancoast - Caring Connection
Jim Roberts - The Lakeshore Excellence Foundation
Dianne Ross - Corewell Health Niles Hospital
Andy Sawyer - Krasl Art Center
Deborah Ann Touhey - Spectrum Health Lakeland Auxiliary
Rosetta Valentine - Sisters From Another Mother Organization
Vickie Wagner - Blessings in a Backpack
Dana Wales - Corewell Health Foundation Southwest Michigan
Finalists & Nominating Organizations:
Rick Freridge - St. Joseph - Lincoln Senior Service Center
Joy Darlene Hawkins & Jolita Allene Smith - Berrien County Cancer Service
Sue Willming - United Way of Southwest Michigan
Winner: Rich Freridge
Thank you to In-Kind Donations from: Competitive Edge, Martin’s Supermarkets -Stevensville, Martin’s Supermarkets - St. Joseph, Lake Michigan College
