United Way of the Piedmont recently held its 77th Annual Meeting at Chapman Cultural Center. This event highlights companies for their involvement in the community, recognizes volunteers for their contributions and serves as a business meeting to elect new board members.
“The residents in Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union Counties continue to amaze me with their generosity,” stated Russell Booker, Superintendent of District 7 with Spartanburg County Schools and this year’s board chair. “Not only do they give generously, but they freely donate their time and it is just as valuable. When you combine gifts, value of coordinated volunteers’ time, value of goods through the Gifts in Kind Center and value of advocacy efforts, our impact to the community is over $29,000,000. This is truly amazing.”
Chairman’s Award: Given to a corporate leader who was the catalyst for significant change which resulted in greater investment in the community
- David Church, Spartanburg Regional
The Tom Barnet Award for Volunteer Service: Named after Tom Barnet in 2006, this award is presented annually to an individual who has worked tirelessly with United Way to improve the community. Though United Way works with hundreds of individual volunteers during each campaign year, there is always one individual that embodies the spirit of community stewardship and stands head and shoulders above the rest.
- Tony Caspio, Sealed Air Corporation
The Sylvia Stahley Outstanding Speaker’s Award: Awarded to a representative of a non-profit organization who exemplifies partnering with United Way and our common goal to educate others about the needs in our community.
- Suzy Cole – Children’s Advocacy Center
The Walter S. Montgomery Award for Young Leadership: Established in 2005 to recognize and celebrate a young member of the community who exhibit uncommon generosity, involvement and leadership in serving our human service organizations.
- Andy Lancaster, Advance America
Advocate of the Year Award: a new award this year. Presented to an individual who goes to great lengths to bring a particular community issue to the forefront in order to illicit change.
- Tom Barnet, for his work around the Behavioral Health Initiative
Campaign Committee Awards: Awarded to committees that demonstrate exceptional teamwork in their efforts to both educate their associates on community issues and raise funds to address those issues.
- BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC
- Spartanburg Regional
- Publix – Duncan
- Publix – Hillcrest
Creativity Award: Awarded for creative involvement of employees and innovative use of a campaign theme
- Denny’s
- Tire Centers
Campaign Spirit Awards: Awarded to the companies whose employees exemplified the highest level of team spirit during their campaign.
- AFL Telecommunications
Volunteer Spirit Awards: Awarded to companies that most promoted the involvement of their employees in community volunteer projects.
- District 6 for Bags of Love
Public School Campaign Award: Presented to the school district with the greatest increase in employee giving.
- Spartanburg County School District 7
Campaign Coordinator Awards: Presented to individuals who set an example of outstanding leadership through their involvement in United Way activities.
- Mark Garber – Mary Black Health System
- Brittney Mazzell – UPS Freight
- Robin Camire – UPS Freight
- Tommy Manibusan at Carlisle Finishing
Community Partner Awards: Awarded to the community organization(s) that exemplify true partnership with United Way to address community needs in keeping with the United Way mission.
- City of Spartanburg
- Limestone College
- USC Union
- Spartanburg Community College – Downtown Campus
Most Outstanding New Campaign: Awarded to the company with the best first-time employee campaign.
- Pacolet Milliken
Agency Campaign Award: Awarded to the community agency with the greatest increase in employee giving.
- Boy Scouts, Palmetto Council
Outstanding Leadership Giving Award: Awarded to the company with the highest percent of leadership donors ($1000 or more).
- Mary Black Foundation
Spartanburg County Trophy Awards: Awarded in each division, based on increase in employee giving:Employee Giving with gifts of :
- $1,000 to $5,000: Omni Source
- $5,000 to $10,000: Costco
- $10,000 to $15,000: Momentive Specialty Chemicals
- $15,000 to $25,000: Mary Black Health System
- $25,000 to $50,000: Publix-Duncan
- $50,000 to $100,000: United Parcel Service
- $100,000 to 150,000: AFL
- $200,000+: BMW Manufacturing
Cherokee County Trophy Awards: Employee Giving with Gifts of:
- $1,000 to $10,000 Belk
- $10,000+ UPS Freight
Union County Trophy Awards: Employee Giving with Gifts of:
- $1,000 to $10,000 Gestamp
- $10,000+ Dollar General Distribution Center
Community Impact Awards Awarded to companies who have the highest percentage of undesignated employee giving dollars:
- $1,000 to $5,000: BIC Consumer Products Manufacturing
- $5,000 to $10,000: Wabtec Passenger Transit
- $10,000 to $15,000: Pure Barre
- $15,000 to $25,000: Hamrick Mills
- $25,000 to $50,000: Nestle
- $50,000 to $100,000: American Credit Acceptance
- $100,000 to $150,000: Michelin North America
- $150,000+: Sealed Air Corporation
Imagination Library Special Recognition: Awarded for significant support of the program
- Marsha & Jimmy Gibbs
- Mary Black Foundation
- Milliken Foundation
- Spartanburg County School Districts 1-7
- Union County Schools
Circle of Excellence Awards: Presented to companies for fully supporting United Way of the Piedmont through corporate giving, employee giving, volunteer activities and achieving excellent results in all facets of their workplace campaigns.
- BB&T
- Carolina Alliance Bank
- Contec
- Dixon Hughes Goodman
- First Citizens Bank & Trust
- NBSC
- Piedmont Natural Gas
- Smith Drug
- Timken – Duncan
- William Barnet & Son, LLC