The United Way of Southwest Michigan is celebrating the winners of its annual awards. Spokesperson Jennifer Tomshack tells us they held their annual celebration last week, in person for the first time since 2019.
“We have a whole lot of things to be grateful for because southwest Michigan has certainly stepped up to the may challenges that we’ve faced, and I think as Anna Murphy, our president and CEO said that night, we’ve emerged dear to one another as neighbors and friends as never before because of it,” Tomshack said.
Tomshack says the United Way honors businesses, non-profits, and individuals who support its work. There were a lot of partners saluted last week. Among them are Tracy Hertsel and Bob Stanwood, the recipients of volunteer awards.
“The volunteers to who these two two different leadership awards, they blow me away with how busy they are, how active they are in the community, and have been for years and years.”
Winner of the David J. Weichhand Award, which honors a company that infuses creativity and excitement into employee campaigns, is Honor Credit Union, while the Whirlpool Community Commitment Award has gone to the Cook Nuclear Plant. Tomshack says the theme for the event was Dear Neighbor, recognizing everyone’s need to cooperate. The full list of award recipients can be found below.
The organizations and individuals who helped make 2022 a success were recognized with the following awards:
LARGE CORPORATE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
This award recognizes large-sized businesses for their tremendous commitment to United Way, and for continuously setting a great example of what it means to LIVE UNITED.
1. Western Diversified Plastics, LLC
Engineered Plastic Services, LLC
MEDIUM CORPORATE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
This award recognizes medium-sized businesses for their tremendous commitment to United Way, and for continuously setting a great example of what it means to LIVE UNITED.
2. K & M Machine-Fabricating, Inc.
SMALL CORPORATE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
This award recognizes small-sized businesses for their tremendous commitment to United Way, and for continuously setting a great example of what it means to LIVE UNITED.
3. Insurance Management Service
DAVID J. WEICHHAND AWARD
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.
4. Honor Credit Union
WHIRLPOOL COMMUNITY COMMITMENT AWARD
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.
5. Indiana Michigan Power’s Cook Nuclear Plant
PAY IT FORWARD WINNERS
Individuals who donated or pledged at least $156 (the equivalent of $3 a week) to UWSM were automatically entered into the PAY IT FORWARD sweepstakes for a chance to win $500 AND give $2,500 to a nonprofit of their choice in Southwest Michigan.
6. Lagena Frantz, 1st Source Bank – Luvability
7. Ana Maack, Van Buren Intermediate School District – 211
8. Pam McVay, Lake Michigan College – The Soup Kitchen
9. Tracy Sanders, Honor Credit Union – Court Appointed Special Advocates
10. Jack Wieging, Tyler Automotive – Berrien County Cancer Services
EXCELLENCE IN IMPACT AWARDS
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.
1. OutCenter of Southwest Michigan
2. Maria L. Zavala-Paredes, Business Industry Liaison, National Farmworker Jobs Program, Telamon Corporation
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.
1. Tracy Hertsel
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 41st recipient of this award, which is presented in partnership with the Frederick S. Upton Foundation.
2. Bob Stanwood
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.
3. United Federal Credit Union
4. Diane Young
United Way extends its thanks to those that made this long-overdue event possible!
Gold sponsors
1. Corewell Health
2. Honor Credit Union
3. Kinexus Group
Silver sponsors
1. C12 West Michigan
2. Holt Bosse
3. Kruggel Lawton CPAs
4. Next Chapter Consulting, LLC
5. Silver Beach Pizza
6. Sturgis Bank
Bronze sponsors
1. Parrett Company
2. The Purpose Partners
3. The UPS Store – Paw Paw #3816
4. Mol-Son, LLC & Western Diversified Plastics, LLC
United Way would also like to thank and recognize the following companies and individuals that provided in-kind donations:
1. Competitive Edge
2. DPM Events
3. KXR Prints
4. Lake Michigan College
5. Shavarr Goodloe, Shef Lyfe Creations
