United Way of Southwest Michigan celebrates 2022 with awards to individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions to the community

United Way of Southwest Michigan gathered with around 300 guests from the community at Grand Upton Hall at the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College on Wednesday, April 12 for this year’s annual Celebration.

“This truly is a Celebration like no other. Everything that we have come through and created together in this last year—but also really everything in the last three years—has been remarkable to say the least,” said Anna Murphy, President and CEO of United Way of Southwest Michigan. “Together, as a community, as neighbors, we’ve accomplished so much in the face of big challenges. We’ve proved who we really are—to ourselves and each other. And most important, we’ve emerged dearer to one another, as neighbors and friends, than ever before. For all of that, I give you my heartfelt thanks.”

The evening was hosted by Zack East, Vice President of Business Development at Mid-West Family and Board Chair for United Way of Southwest Michigan. He said, “Our theme for tonight, and for the rest of 2023, is ‘Dear Neighbor.’ It is a recognition of our deep need to have connections with each other, a reminder that none of us do this life alone, and an acknowledgement that our greatest calling is to reach out a hand to lift upthose who need our support. We’re excited to be together tonight to celebrate and honor those in our community who go beyond just being a good citizen, and instead embody the caring, empathy, and giving spirit that it takes to truly be a good neighbor.”

The organizations and individuals who helped make 2022 a success were recognized with the following awards:

LARGE CORPORATE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

This award recognizes large-sized businesses for their tremendous commitment to United Way, and for continuously setting a great example of what it means to LIVE UNITED.

• Western Diversified Plastics, LLC

Engineered Plastic Services, LLC

MEDIUM CORPORATE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

This award recognizes medium-sized businesses for their tremendous commitment to United Way, and for continuously setting a great example of what it means to LIVE UNITED.

• K & M Machine-Fabricating, Inc. 

SMALL CORPORATE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

This award recognizes small-sized businesses for their tremendous commitment to United Way, and for continuously setting a great example of what it means to LIVE UNITED.

• Insurance Management Service

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.

• Honor Credit Union

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. 

• Indiana Michigan Power’s Cook Nuclear Plant

PAY IT FORWARD WINNERS

Individuals who donated or pledged at least $156 (the equivalent of $3 a week) to UWSM were automatically entered into the PAY IT FORWARD sweepstakes for a chance to win $500 AND give $2,500 to a nonprofit of their choice in Southwest Michigan.

• Lagena Frantz, 1st Source Bank - Luvability

• Ana Maack, Van Buren Intermediate School District - 211

• Pam McVay, Lake Michigan College - The Soup Kitchen

• Tracy Sanders, Honor Credit Union - Court Appointed Special Advocates

• Jack Wieging, Tyler Automotive - Berrien County Cancer Services

EXCELLENCE IN IMPACT AWARDS

This award recognizes an organization or individual who created significant impact in the last year and embodies the mission, vision, and goals of United Way. The winners demonstrate how we can and should fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community.

• OutCenter of Southwest Michigan

• Maria L. Zavala-Paredes, Business Industry Liaison, National Farmworker Jobs Program, Telamon Corporation

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.

• Tracy Hertsel

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 41st recipient of this award, which is presented in partnership with the Frederick S. Upton Foundation.

• Bob Stanwood

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.

• United Federal Credit Union

• Diane Young

United Way extends its thanks to those that made this long-overdue event possible!

Gold sponsors 

• Corewell Health

• Honor Credit Union

• Kinexus Group

Silver sponsors

• C12 West Michigan

• Holt Bosse

• Kruggel Lawton CPAs

• Next Chapter Consulting, LLC

• Silver Beach Pizza

• Sturgis Bank

Bronze sponsors

• Parrett Company

• The Purpose Partners

• The UPS Store - Paw Paw #3816

• Mol-Son, LLC & Western Diversified Plastics, LLC

United Way would also like to thank and recognize the following companies and individuals that provided in-kind donations:

• Competitive Edge

• DPM Events

• KXR Prints

• Lake Michigan College

• Shavarr Goodloe, Shef Lyfe Creations

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.