United Way of Southwest Michigan recognizes community contributions with annual “Celebration” awards

UWSM acknowledges with gratitude the generosity of donors in the community in 2021.

“This past year—a year full of challenges for so many—we nonetheless had another successful annual campaign, which helped fuel our ability this year to make the largest round of impact investments in the history of our organization,” said Anna Murphy, President and CEO of United Way of Southwest Michigan. “The ongoing strength of our campaigns, even through difficult times, is a testament to the leadership, commitment, and caring of everyone who contributes to make our community better. We are very thankful to all of them, and especially to this year’s exceptional award winners.”

The many organizations and individuals who helped make the 2021 campaign a success were recognized with the following awards:

The Best Campaign Growth Award

The Best Campaign Growth Award recognizes companies or organizations that demonstrate outstanding achievement in employee education, engagement, and involvement with United Way resulting in a large increase in participation and dollars raised.

• Berrien County Cancer Services, Inc.

• Boys and Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor

• Cass District Library

• Cassopolis Public Schools

• Coloma Community Schools

• Engineered Plastic Services, LLC

• Niles Precision Company, Inc.

• PACE of Southwest Michigan

• Southwestern Michigan College

• Walsworth

• Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network

The Best Community Leadership Award

This award recognizes companies or organizations that demonstrate a deep commitment to the community through their support of United Way and by encouraging other local businesses to get involved. The winners in this category demonstrate substantial increases in donations and employee participation, they have company leadership endorsement and support, assemble campaign committees, offer incentives to new givers and so much more!

• Bronson Healthcare Group

• Entergy/Palisades

• Gast Manufacturing, Inc.

• Kinexus Group

• K&M Machine-Fabricating, Inc.

• Lake Michigan College

• Mid-West Family Southwest Michigan

• Niles Community Schools

• Wolverine Mutual Insurance Company

The Best Year-Round Partnership Award

This award recognizes companies or organizations with the best year-round partnership with respect to communication, education, involvement, and engagement. The winners are involved in United Way Days of Action, have presence on the Board and Campaign Cabinet, hold special events throughout the year to raise money, advocate on behalf of United Way and so much more. This group truly understands and embraces what it means to be a great partner.

• 1st Source Bank

• Area Agency on Aging, Region IV

• Berrien Regional Education Service Agency

• Coloma Township Police Department

• Competitive Edge

• The Herald-Palladium

• United Parcel Service

Large Corporate Champion of the Year Award

This award recognizes large sized businesses for their commitment to United Way in the areas of GIVE-ADVOCATE-VOLUNTEER.

• Western Diversified Plastics, LLC

• Whirlpool Corporation

Medium Corporate Champion of the Year

This award recognizes medium sized businesses for their commitment to United Way in the areas of GIVE-ADVOCATE-VOLUNTEER.

• Tyler Automotive

Small Corporate Champion of the Year

This award recognizes small sized businesses for their commitment to United Way in the areas of GIVE-ADVOCATE-VOLUNTEER.

• Wolverine Pipe Line Company

Employee Campaign Chair of the Year - Large Business Award

This award recognizes the Employee Campaign Chair who has shown exemplary commitment to United Way in the areas of GIVE-ADVOCATE-VOLUNTEER. Factors considered: • Participates in United Way presentation or employee rallies. • Offers campaign participation incentives. • Includes special events in their campaign. • Shows an increase in participation or giving rate. • Participates in Days of Action or other volunteer opportunities. • Promotes leadership giving. • Utilizes United Way representative or Campaign Cabinet members (if applicable)

• Christine Birner - United Federal Credit Union

• Halee Niemi - Honor Credit Union

• Melissa Pratt - Honor Credit Union

• Kayla Smith - Honor Credit Union

Employee Campaign Chair of the Year - Medium Business Award

This award recognizes the Employee Campaign Chair who has shown exemplary commitment to United Way in the areas of GIVE-ADVOCATE-VOLUNTEER. Factors considered: • Participates in United Way presentation or employee rallies. • Offers campaign participation incentives. • Includes special events in their campaign. • Shows an increase in participation or giving rate. • Participates in Days of Action or other volunteer opportunities. • Promotes leadership giving. • Utilizes United Way representative or Campaign Cabinet members (if applicable)

• Jayne Ann Helsley - Vail Rubber Works, INC.

Employee Campaign Chair of the Year - Small Business Award

This award recognizes the Employee Campaign Chair who has shown exemplary commitment to United Way in the areas of GIVE-ADVOCATE-VOLUNTEER. Factors considered: • Participates in United Way presentation or employee rallies. • Offers campaign participation incentives. • Includes special events in their campaign. • Shows an increase in participation or giving rate. • Participates in Days of Action or other volunteer opportunities. • Promotes leadership giving. • Utilizes United Way representative or Campaign Cabinet members (if applicable)

• Karen Poff - Horizon Bank

David J. Weichhand Award

Named after the late President and CEO of United Federal Credit Union. This special award honors a company that infuses the same creativity and imagination into their employee campaigns that Dave did at United Federal -- by going above and beyond what is expected to make the campaign fun, exciting, inspirational and ultimately successful.

• Andrews University

Inspired Giving Award

This award recognizes a company for exceptional results in conducting a new or reestablished employee campaign. This company shows longevity in their relationship with United Way of Southwest Michigan.

• Meijer

• United Federal Credit Union

LIVE UNITED Award

The LIVE UNITED award was created in 2005 to recognize organizations or individuals who truly embody the mission, vision, and goals of United Way, and who live out the motto: Give, Advocate, and Volunteer. 

• American Electric Power Company, Inc.

• Cook Nuclear Plant

Whirlpool Community Commitment Award

This Award is named after Whirlpool Corporation and its employees, this prestigious award has been established to recognize organizations and their employees whose dedication to community is unparalleled. Winners of this award are truly exceptional in how they give back. They have a long-standing history of creating significant impact in Southwest Michigan or display a strong sense of service within Southwest Michigan and the communities in their company’s entire footprint. 

• Honor Credit Union

The 2021 Celebration awards can be viewed at uwsm.org/celebration.

ABOUT UNITED WAY

United Way of Southwest Michigan fights for the Health, Education, and Financial Stability of every person in every community. We have the influence and relationships to make sustainable change a reality. By harnessing resources from corporate, nonprofit, and public partners, we provide immediate assistance to our most vulnerable populations while addressing the root causes of our community's longstanding challenges and changing lives for the better. To join the fight—through giving, advocacy, and volunteering—visit www.uwsm.org.