Every time I cover the The United Way I learn something new about them. I remember the first time I had heard about them it was through work, it was an organization that my firm, Kohn, Swift & Graf, insisted we as employees donate to our favorite charities through the organization. My boss Harold Kohn wanted to instill in us the responsibility in helping others less fortunate. I usually donated to a charity that I was more familiar with as the UW gives you that option directing a few dollars to the United Way. But I really had no idea what the United Way did, or who they were. It was just something my boss wanted us to do, as I always opted not to go to the meet and greet meeting. After photographing them 3 times my eyes have been opened and my friends tell me I have drank the Kool Aid, cause I tell everyone about the amazing programs they have, how they touch many lives, in every phase of their lives, especially children, seniors, low income and underserved communities.
I’ve even gone back to Kohn, Swift and Graf to apologize to my United Way administrator (legal secretary – Joan Burt) for all those years I would drag my feet in filling out my forms (usually just out of laziness), it’s really an amazing program. All of these people below already knew the great things the United Way did…
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| Earlier this month the United Way held it’s Champions for Impact is United Way’s signature event for recognizing the contributions of local donors, advocates and volunteers whose dedication helps to improve education for our children and youth, create opportunities for families to achieve financial stability, and allow seniors to age with dignity in their own homes and communities. Joan went once as our Firm received an award. We always had 100% participation, the boss and Joan were always proud of that. Susan Van Buren, Jill M. Michal, president & CEO of United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Meghan Brown |
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| Gordon Cooney, managing partner of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP’s Philadelphia office, is the United Way’s 2012-2013 Campaign Chair, Ned Montgomery and Marty Freidman |
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| Jack Pyle and Lon R. Greenberg, CEO of UGI Corp. |
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| Sally Lee Community Service Award – Dene Liott, with my favorite quote ever U N I together every day – United Way. Dene is founder, producer and host of her “What’s Happening” shows that air on PCTV and reaches people in western Montgomery County, northern Chester County and eastern Berks County shows since 2004. She’s a community activist and advocate for the rights of the elderly. |
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| United Way and the United Ways of the Delaware Valley presented the John C. Haas Regional Champion Medals to Distinguished Individual Honoree Mindy Holman, Holman Enterprises |
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| Manus McHugh, manager of Retail Business Integration for Exelon Energy, was presented with the prestigious Volunteer of the Year Award. He’s surrounded by the important women in his life including wife Joanne (l), daughters Cassie, Susannah, and Meredith; with Jill M. Michal, president & CEO of United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania |
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| Champions for Impact also served as a public celebration of United Way reaching its $48.5 million campaign goal under the leadership of the 2011-12 Campaign Chair Mary Stengel Austen, who received the Campaign Leadership Award. After accepting the award, Austen president of Tierney Communications, officially passed along United Way’s Campaign Torch to J. Gordon Cooney, Jr., managing partner of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP’s Philadelphia office. |
The complete list of people and corporations who were honored that evening.
- Vanguard Award for Excellence – PECO
- Campaign Leadership Award – Mary Stengel Austen
- Best Overall Campaign – Ametek, Inc.
- Best Overall Campaign – Independence Blue Cross
- Best New Campaign – CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
- Employee Campaign Chair(s) of the Year – Joe Geeter and Jim Crossan, UGI/AmeriGas
- Campaign Cabinet Volunteer of the Year – Bobby Keyes, Enterprise Holdings
- Corporate Citizenship Award – IBM
- Live United: Impact in Education Award – Xu Lin, Youth Community Organizer, Asian Americans United
- Live United: Impact in Income Award – Citizens Bank
- Live United: Impact in Health Award – Allen Glicksman, Director of Research and Evaluation, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging
- Live United: Impact in Basic Needs Award – Witnesses to Hunger, Drexel University
- Live United: Partners in Caring Award – CBS Radio and MayoSeitz Media
- Live United: Partners in Caring Award – Dechert
- Live United: Partners in Caring Award – Vanguard Information Technology Division
- Live United Award – Richard Binswanger
- Live United Award – Susan Van Buren, SEPTA
- Irv Sannit Labor Award – Richard Howell, International Association of Machinists 1776
John C. Haas Regional Champion Medals
- Distinguished Individual Champion Award – Mindy Holman, President & CEO of Holman Enterprises and ARI Leasing
- Distinguished Corporate Champion Award – TD Bank
- Sally Lee Community Service Award – Dene Liott
