2021 CELEBRATION AWARDS

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 thousands of volunteer hours every year.

In 2021:

$5,092,203 total funds raised

$652,578 in in-kind donations

$1,639,741 in state & federal grants leveraged by United Way funding

2,516 volunteers served 16,798 hours

$479,413 in value of volunteer service hours 

$7,944,757 total value delivered to the community

114,248 total individuals impacted

62 programs at 42 agencies and 5 Collective Impact projects

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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