United Way of Southwest Michigan launched “Celebration 2.0” to honor 2019 community contributions
Because its annual Celebration, originally planned for March, was canceled due to the pandemic, UWSM showed its appreciation in creative contactless fashion.
Originally scheduled to have been held on March 19, 2020 at Lake Michigan College, United Way of Southwest Michigan’s annual Celebration took a different form. United Way crafted a unique experience to acknowledge the generosity of donors and the impact made in the community in 2019. On August 27, United Way staff delivered stunning “Celebration 2.0” boxes to award winners. The Hollywood-esque boxes, designed in a glamorous Roaring ‘20s style, contained success stories that would have been premiered at Celebration, awards celebrating the winners, and other goodies.
Award winners were encouraged to photograph or video themselves unpacking the box and upload them to social media, tagging UWSM and using the hashtag #uwsmcelebration so everyone in the community can see.
“When you look at the example of this year’s award winners—the outstanding corporate partners and the stellar individuals—about how to step up and lead, commit with passion and determination, and overcome obstacles to advance the common good, nothing could stop us from finding ways to acknowledge them for it,” said Anna Murphy, President and CEO of United Way of Southwest Michigan. “2019 was a banner year—we saw how strong and caring our community is—and that is getting us through the difficult year we’re currently in.”
The event was to be hosted by Jonny Reinhardt and Matt Malone of 97.5 Y-Country—who reprised their roles from last year with more hilarious misadventures getting to the venue, which were captured on video for the audience to watch. Instead, the video will be available on UWSM’s YouTube channel and shared on its other social channels.
Find all “Celebration 2.0” content at uwsm.org/celebration-2-0.
“The work we do is hard, and we are so proud to showcase to the community all that they help us to accomplish,” said Anna Murphy, President and CEO of United Way of Southwest Michigan. “We have so much from the past year to celebrate and we look forward to the recovery and resiliency we are working to create in our region.”
As the largest non-governmental funder of health and human services in our local community, United Way of Southwest Michigan stewards millions of dollars and tens of thousands of volunteer hours every year. In 2019:
· 10,000 children got their education off to a great start.
· 500 people prepared themselves for in-demand jobs.
· 6,000 people built up their emotional health and resilience.
· 430,000 meals were provided to some of our most vulnerable neighbors.
· 600 people learned about big issues like trauma and structural racism.
In one year, United Way of Southwest Michigan impacted the lives of more than 82,000 people.
Importantly, the many organizations and individuals who helped make 2019 a success were recognized with the following awards:
Best Campaign Growth -
Area Agency on Aging, Region IV
Cassopolis Public Schools
Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services
Old National Bank
Cass District Library
City of Buchanan
Niles Precision Company, Inc.
Lovejoy
County of Berrien
Best Year-Round Partnership -
1st Source Bank
Lake Michigan College
LOGAN Autism Learning Center
Berrien County Cancer Service, Inc.
Tyler Automotive
Berrien RESA
Martin’s Super Markets - Stevensville
St. Joseph Public Schools
Spectrum Health Lakeland
Best Community Leadership -
Honor Credit Union
Andrews University
Berrien Springs Public Schools
K&M Machine-Fabricating, Inc.
Mid-West Family
Van Buren ISD
Entergy-Palisades Power Plant
United Federal Credit Union
Horizon Bank
Corporate Champion of the Year - Large Business -
Western Diversified Plastics
Gast Manufacturing, Inc.
Corporate Champion of the Year - Medium Business -
Vomela Transportation Graphics
Corporate Champion of the Year - Small Business -
Competitive Edge
Employee Campaign Chair of the Year - Large Business -
Cathy Summers, Indiana Michigan Power, an AEP Company
Employee Campaign Chair of the Year - Medium Business -
Evelyn Castrejon, Kinexus Group
Employee Campaign Chair of the Year - Small Business -
David Brooks, Wolverine Pipe Line Co.
Inspired Giving -
United Parcel Service
Campaign Cabinet Choice -
Coloma Township Police Department
Ravitron
Meijer
David J. Weichhand Award -
Kinexus Group
Whirlpool Community Commitment Award -
Indiana Michigan Power and its D.C. Cook Nuclear Plant
Excellence in Innovation -
Great Start Collaborative of Berrien County
Excellence in Collaboration -
Tri-County Head Start
Excellence in Impact -
Domestic Violence Coalition
Impact Cabinet Choice -
Southwest Michigan Planning Commission
LIVE UNITED Award -
Shelitha McKee
Sue Danielson