The United Way of Southwest Michigan has marked a record fundraising year. At its annual celebration at Lake Michigan College th9is month, the organization announced it raised more than $4.2 million with its 2018 campaign. United Way of Southwest Michigan President Anna Murphy tells WSJM News the region cares.
“One of the things we say often is there is a huge spirit of generosity in our communities, and the partners that we have with our local corporations that want to be part of the community, that want to give back to the community really make it very easy to do this,” Murphy said.
Murphy says the United Way of Southwest Michigan supports more than 50 local organizations that work in the community. The donations from corporate partners, non-profits, and individuals make it all possible. Also this month, the United Way handed out its annual awards to partners.
The organizations and individuals who helped make the 2018 campaign a success were recognized with the following awards:
Best Campaign Growth Awards
City of Niles
Spectrum Health Lakeland
Tyler Automotive
United Federal Credit Union
Watervliet Public Schools
Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network
Best Community Leadership Awards
Berrien County Cancer Service, Inc.
Gast Manufacturing, Inc.
Kinexus
Plante Moran
St. Joseph Public Schools
Wolverine Pipe Line Co.
Best Year-Round Partnership Awards
Berrien Regional Education Service Agency (RESA)
Competitive Edge
1st Source Bank
Lake Michigan College
LOGAN Autism Learning Center
Pri Mar Petroleum, Inc.
Corporate Champion of the Year – Large Business
Meijer
Corporate Champion of the Year – Medium Business
United Parcel Service
Corporate Champion of the Year – Small Business
Lindberg/MPH
Employee Campaign Chair of the Year – Large Business
Jeff Blake – United Federal Credit Union
Dalry Payne – Andrews University
Employee Campaign Chair of the Year – Medium Business
Nia Ammeson & Ivan Price – Martin’s Super Market, Stevensville
Employee Campaign Chair of the Year – Small Business
Lorraine Day – Mid-West Family Broadcasting
Inspired Giving Award
Martin’s Super Markets
Campaign Cabinet Choice Awards
Harbor Graphics Corporation
K&M Machine-Fabricating, Inc.
Niles Precision Company, Inc.
David J. Weichhand Award
Honor Credit Union
Whirlpool Community Commitment Award
Whirlpool Corporation
Impact Cabinet Choice Award
Lewis Cass Intermediate School District
Excellence in Innovation Award
The LINK – Kinexus
Excellence in Impact Award
Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Department
Excellence in Collaboration Awards
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Michigan 2-1-1
LIVE UNITED Awards
Indiana Michigan Power Company, an AEP Company
Andy Janson 2017-2018 Board Chair
