United Way of Southwest Michigan surpassed its 2014 campaign goal and raised $3,755,759, an eight percent increase from the amount raised in 2013 and another record year for the organization.

“Year after year the community joins us in creating a fundraising goal and every year we are astonished at the generosity of the thousands of donors and volunteers whose efforts result in surpassing the goal,” said United Way President, Anna Murphy.

In 2014, United Way was supported by thousands of individuals and 180 companies in Berrien and Cass counties.

Yet, it’s not about just the dollars raised, stressed Murphy. United Way uses those dollars to make an impact on the education, income, health and basic needs of our community because those are the building blocks to a good life.

United Way celebrated the campaign success at an awards celebration Wednesday at Shadowland on Silver Beach. The event was attended by nearly 250 volunteers, donors and company representatives from all over Berrien and Cass counties who received awards for their contributions to the campaign.

“The companies and individuals who partner with United Way are the ones who should get the credit,” Murphy said. “Without their time and energy there is no way this money could be raised for our community, they are the backbone of this organization.”

The 2014 drive engaged hundreds of volunteers that helped fundraise, plan and oversee the campaign. Volunteers are also utilized to track and monitor the results of funded partners to insure donor dollars are having the greatest impact possible.

“Last year we were able to assist nearly 67,000 people and because of the generous support of the community, this year we will be able to do even more,” said Lynanne Kunkel, United Way Campaign Chair.

In 2015, United Way says it will continue to focus on the source, not just the symptoms, of the community’s core challenges. This goes beyond short-term charity for a few to long-lasting solutions that lift up the whole community.

 

Award Recipients

David J. Weichhand Award — The David J. Weichhand Award for Creativity and Inspiration is designed to recognize and honor a company for its creativity and imagination in the employee campaign by going above and beyond what is expected to make the campaign fun, exciting and inspirational.

• Andrews University

 

Business Awards

Small Business Awards

(Under 25 employees)

Business of the Year

• APL Logistics

• Leader Publications

 

Employee Campaign Coordinator of the Year

• Autocam Precision Components Group, Cheryl Friske

• Kemner-Iott Agency of Cass County, Crystal Haefner

 

Medium

Business Awards

(26-100 employees)

Business of the Year

• Gast Manufacturing

• Walsworth Publishing

• Employee Campaign

 

Coordinator of the Year

• Martin’s Super Market — St. Joseph #21, Maryann Pears

• Harbor Graphics, Elizabeth Roden

 

Large Business Awards (101 and more employees)

Business of the Year

• Whirlpool Corporation

• Modineer Company

• Employee Campaign Coordinator of the Year –

• Honor Credit Union, Kaylee Williams

• Saint Joseph Public Schools, John Truesdell

 

Bonfire Award Winners (At least 90 percent participation and uses best practices)

• Andrews University

• Coloma Community Schools

• Edgewater Bank

• Emergency Shelter Services

• Greater Niles Community Federal Credit Union

• Harbor Graphics

• Honor Credit Union

• Insurance Management Services

• K&M Machine-Fabricating

• Kinexus

• Mid-West Family Broadcasting

• Tyler Automotive

• Tyler Honda

• United Federal Credit Union

• Wolverine Metal Stamping

 

Flame Award Winners

(At least 75 percent

participation and uses best practices)

• Capital Solutions

• Chemical Bank

• City of Buchanan

• Hub International

• Indiana Michigan Power

• Kemner-Iott Agency of Cass County

• Senior Nutrition Services

• United Parcel Services

• Wolverine Pipe Line Company

 

Spark Award Winners

(At least 50 percent participation and uses best practices)

• Berrien County Cancer Services

• Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor

• Benton Harbor-St. Joseph Wastewater Treatment Plant

• Competitive Edge

• Horizon Bank

• Meijer in Benton Harbor

• Meijer in Stevensville

• Ravitron Equipment

• Redbud Insurance

• Walsworth Publishing

 

Also, the top three companies who consist of 75.4 percent of the total campaign revenue:

• Lakeland Regional Health

• American Electric Power

• Whirlpool Corporation