AWARDS

UWSM is very grateful to the community and honored to recognize all those who support our work.

UNSTOPPABLE…

Ausco Products

Going the extra mile…

Niles Community Schools

Steady Eddie…

Vail Rubber Works

Tried and true…

United Federal Credit Union

Everyday Heroes…

Bronson Health Care Group

Setting the curve…

Coloma Community Schools

Spirited rallier…

Andrews University

Crushing it…

Vomela Transportation Graphics

Engaging Everyone…

Western Diversified Plastics/ Engineered Plastic Services

Dedicated Advocate…

K&M Machine Fabricating, Inc.

Always saying “Consider it done”…

Competitive Edge, LLC

Always being a good neighbor…

Corewell Health South

United Advocacy Award

The United Advocacy Award recognizes individuals who take significant advocacy actions in the last year. United Way defines Advocacy as: “Actions taken in order to effect change for a cause we are invested in and educating the public and decision-makers about the importance of an 

issue.” The winner of this award will have demonstrated a large scope of work, either by creating a large amount of change or by working with a large number of people. 

Danielle Persky

Guy Miller

Excellence in Impact

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. 

Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation

Curt VanderWaal

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.

Indiana Michigan Power’s Cook Nuclear Plant

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.

Lake Michigan College

Karen Heath, Berrien RESA

Susan Eastman, Lake Michigan College

Shana Bae, Ausco Products

Kelsey Makela, Insurance Management Services

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.

Kinexus Group

Amberdeep Aurora

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.

Sara Hartsell

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 42nd recipient of this award, which is presented in partnership with the Frederick S. Upton Foundation.

Ren Baldwin