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