Bowling Green, Kentucky (February 17, 2011) – The United Way of Southern Kentucky (UWSK) hosted its Annual Live United Awards and Recognition Event on Thursday, February 17th at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bowling Green.
The reception celebrated the triumphs of companies who excelled in furthering the mission of United Way of Southern Kentucky. The awards structure was centralized around the call to action issued by United Way of Southern Kentucky for those in our community to LIVE UNITED through giving, advocating, and volunteering. More than 30 awards were presented to organizations from Allen, Barren, Logan, Simpson and Warren counties.
Campaign totals for 2010 were announced. In Allen County, $128,959 was raised. Contributions in Barren County were $164,256. Logan County residents contributed $213,767. Simpson County contributions were $33,346. And, $1,086,419 was raised in Warren County, resulting in a GRAND TOTAL of $1,626,747 being raised for Southern Kentucky friends and neighbors in need. These dollars will translate into providing food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, safe place to live for the abused and battered and chance for a successful and productive lives for our communities children. Examples of services that were provided in 2010 include:
· 5,331 calls to the domestic violence crisis line
· 41,000 meals served to hungry individuals
· 603 boys and girls had a safe and nurturing place to go after school and during the summer for enrichment activities
· 888 homeless individuals had a warm bed to sleep in
UWSK presented the following awards to organizations for their support:
GIVE AWARDS
(NOTE: Basic criteria for all “give” awards is that the organization must have the same or increased giving versus the prior year)
Greatest Giving Increases (employee and corporate giving combined)
· Increase of $5,000 - $9,999
U. S. Bank – area wide
· Increase of $10,000 and up
Warren County Schools
Top Givers (employee and corporate giving combined)
· Top Five givers with same or increased campaign dollars
Fruit of the Loom
Georgia Pacific
U. S. Bank – area wide
Warren Rural Electric Cooperative
Western Kentucky University
Leadership Investment Awards (employee giving)
· Most leadership dollars from organizations employing:
Less than 100
BKD LLP
100 - 249
Warren Rural Electric Cooperative
More than 250
Fruit of the Loom Headquarters
New Campaign Partner of the Year
Highest giving, per capita and participation
Magna Bowling Green Metalforming
Outstanding Nonprofit Agency Campaign
Highest giving, per capita, participation and increases (giving, per capita, participation)
Barren River Area Safe Space
Give United Award (campaign of the year)
Highest giving, per capita, participation and increase from organizations employing:
Less than 100
BKD LLP
100-249
Warren Rural Electric Cooperative
250+
Fruit of the Loom Headquarters
ADVOCATE AWARDS
Advocate United Award
Organization that has most promoted United Way on numerous levels in support of our Give, Advocate, Volunteer mission
WBKO
VOLUNTEER AWARDS
Volunteer Investment Awards
Top Organizations with the largest % of employees volunteering in multiple United Way functions (allocations, campaign, marketing, board of directors)
o Atmos Energy
o BB&T – Bowling Green
o Bowling Green Municipal Utilities
o Citizen’s First Bank – Area-wide
o U. S. Bank – Area-wide
o Warren County Water District
Outstanding Board of Directors Volunteer
Non executive committee member; Involved in multiple United Way activities/committees
o Ken Campbell
Volunteer United Award
Organization that embodies United Way’s volunteering mission through participation in multiple United Way functions and United Way critical service areas
o BB&T
SPIRIT UNITED AWARD
Organization that embodies the Live United spirit through year round support and enthusiasm for United Way
o J.M. Smucker Company
Finalists for the premier award for the year, the LIVE UNITED Award, were previously announced. 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 and its critical service areas throughout the year, and exceptional volunteer participation from a large base of employees. The top 3 finalists for the LIVE UNITED Award included: Atmos Energy, U.S. Bank (area-wide), and Ventra Plastics.
Following the recognition of the three finalists, the Live United Award was presented to:
U.S. Bank (area-wide)