United Way of Southern Kentucky’s (UWSK) LIVE UNITED Awards and Annual Meeting

Congratulations LIVE UNITED Award Winners!
(January 24th, 2018) – More than 270 Southern Kentucky residents joined United Way of Southern Kentucky (UWSK) for the LIVE UNITED Awards and Annual Meeting on Thursday, January 24th at the Knicely Conference Center in Bowling Green.

The evening served to recognize the triumphs of organizations that excelled in furthering the mission of United Way of Southern Kentucky in 2018. Fifty-three awards were presented during the celebration to individuals and organizations representing Allen, Barren, Butler, Hart, Logan, Simpson and Warren counties.

Steve Thurmond, United Way of Southern Kentucky Board Member and Executive Director for the Franklin-Simpson Chamber of Commerce, emceed the event as United Way of Southern Kentucky presented the following awards to organizations for their support in 2018:

VOLUNTEER AWARDS

Volunteer Investment Awards
Top Organizations with the largest % of employees volunteering in multiple United Way functions
Fruit of the Loom
Logan Aluminum
The J.M. Smucker Company
Trace Die Cast
U.S. Bank – Area Wide

SPIRIT UNITED AWARD

Organization that embodies the Live United spirit through year round support and enthusiasm for United Way
Honorable Mentions:
Logan Aluminum
Ventra Plastics
Winner:
Logan Memorial Hospital

GIVE AWARDS

Greatest Giving Increases (employee and corporate giving combined)
Increase of $5,000 – $9,999
Berry Global
Community Action of Southern Kentucky
Franklin Precision Industry
Trace Die Cast
Warren RECC

Increase of $10,000 – $14,999
Graves Gilbert Clinic
LORD Corporation
The Murphy Construction Group

Increase of $15,000 – $19,999
Houchens Insurance Group

Increase of $20,000 – $24,999
The City of Bowling Green

Increase of $40,000+
Logan Aluminum

New Campaign Partner of the Year
JPS Wealth Advisors of Hilliard Lyons

Leadership Investment Awards (employee giving)
Most leadership dollars (gifts of $1,000 or more) from organizations employing:
Less than 100 employees: BKD LLP
100 – 250 employees: The Murphy Construction Group
More than 250 employees: Fruit of the Loom

TOP 10 CAMPAIGNS: 

Top 10 campaigns for overall corporate and employee giving in 2018:
10. Warren RECC
9. LORD Corporation
8. The J.M. Smucker Company
7. The City of Bowling Green
6. The Murphy Construction Group
5. U.S. Bank – Area Wide
4. Trace Die Cast
3. UAW – General Motors Corvette Assembly
2. Fruit of the Loom
1. Logan Aluminum

Also recognized during the evening was a student organization that is working to support and promote United Way’s efforts. Student United Ways are campus based student led organizations that work in partnership with local United Ways. Currently there are more than 80 Student United Ways around the world spanning five countries. Here in Southern Kentucky, the following organization was recognized:
Western Kentucky University Student United Way

For the third year, United Way of Southern Kentucky presented the Shooting Star Award. The Shooting Star Award winner was chosen from applications submitted by United Way partner programs on behalf of clients who had exemplified courage and tenacity in overcoming obstacles and has used United Way services to build a better life. This year’s Shooting Star Award was awarded to:
Kiosha Owens (Submitting Agency: The Foundry)

For the third year, Community Impact Partnership Awards were presented to organizations who have excelled in moving the needle on United Way’s Community Impact work through their partnership. Each has been instrumental with their impact in the areas of Education, Income, Health, and/or Safety Net. The Community Impact Partnership Awards were presented to:
Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake: Kindergarten Readiness
The BKD Foundation: Kindergarten Readiness
Charles M. Moore Insurance: Kindergarten Readiness
Family Enrichment Center: Kindergarten Readiness
U.S. Bank: Kindergarten Readiness
Graves Gilbert Clinic: Imagination Library
Fruit of the Loom: Imagination Library
Trace Die Cast: Kindergarten Readiness & Transportation
Allen County Career & Technical Center: College & Career Readiness
WBKO: Advocacy
The City of Franklin: 2-1-1 Contact Center

Finalists for the premier award of the year, the LIVE UNITED Award, were presented via video throughout the evening. This award was presented to the company that exemplifies United Way’s core Give, Advocate and Volunteer goals through outstanding campaign support including increased giving, high participation and per capita, advocating internally and externally on behalf of United Way throughout the year, and exceptional volunteer participation from a large base of employees. Special consideration was given to those organizations with specific support to United Way’s work in Education, Income, Health, and/or Safety Net.

The top three finalists for the LIVE UNITED Award included: Logan Aluminum, The Murphy Construction Group and Trace Die Cast. Following the recognition of the three finalists, the Live United Award was presented to: Trace Die Cast

During the Annual Meeting, three new incoming members of the United Way of Southern Kentucky Board of Directors were approved including:
Andrew Bedi, Greenview Regional Hospital
Tom Flynn
Stefanie Jones, Fruit of the Loom
Zach Massey, The Murphy Construction Group

As well, the following members were approved for an additional term on the board:
Todd Kanipe, Citizens First Bank
Lindsey McClain, American Bank & Trust
Steve Sinclair, Graves Gilbert Clinic

In addition, the following slate of officers were approved by the membership for 2019:
Tommy Adams, Charles M. Moore Insurance – Chairman
Mike O’Kelly, Farmers National Bank – Chair Elect
Stacey Hughes, Treasurer

Four board members were recognized for their long term commitment to United Way of Southern Kentucky as they retire from their service on the board:
Mike Sherrod, Tristar Greenview Regional Hospital
Ken Campbell, Ventra Plastics
Nora Roper, General Motors Corvette Assembly
Thad Connally III, First Choice Home Medical

Finally, Donna Harmon was recognized for her service and inspiration as the 2018 Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Debbie Hills, President and CEO for United Way of Southern Kentucky, said, “Tonight’s celebration is the culmination of a year of outstanding efforts by many partners in the community. The accomplishments by the organizations recognized tonight will support long-term community change in our priority focus areas of Education, Income, Health and Safety Net. Most important are the thousands of lives that will be impacted through that work which is made possible by the combined generosity of those honored tonight, as well as hundreds of other organizations that support our efforts.”

For more information on how you can LIVE UNITED by giving, advocating, and volunteering with United Way of Southern Kentucky, visit www.LIVEUNITEDToday.comor call 270-843-3205.

United Way of Southern Kentucky (UWSK) is a local, independent, non-profit organization that works to identify and address the issues that matter most, change conditions and improve lives. The mission of United Way of Southern Kentucky is to be the leader in bringing together the resources to build a stronger, more caring community.United Way is focused on the building blocks for good quality of life – Education, Income, Health and Safety Net. Therefore, the vision of United Way is a Southern Kentucky where all residents are educated, healthy, and financially stable. Incorporated as a charitable non-profit entity in 1956, UWSK has long served a major role in the community by bringing people together to create opportunities that make a measurable difference in the quality of life for people where they live and work.