Event showcases how United Way blazes a trail to a stronger community
(BLACKHAWK REGION) – United Way recognized its corporate supporters, donors, volunteers, and community partners at its annual LIVE UNITED Celebration, held at the Eclipse Center in Beloit. The luncheon’s theme centered on United Way’s efforts to blaze a trail to a stronger community, a creative nod to the top prize in the GIVE & WIN Sweepstakes – a 2023 Chevy Trailblazer.
United Way Blackhawk Region President & CEO Mary Fanning-Penny welcomed attendees and recognized the event’s presenting sponsor, ABC Supply Co., inc. As a volunteer-driven organization, Fanning-Penny touted United Way’s top charity ratings, its aspiration to occupy a smaller footprint and sell its downtown Janesville building, increases at 50 workplace campaigns, and community investments equating to more than $2.6 million as recent accomplishments for the nonprofit.
Chair of United Way Blackhawk Region’s Board of Directors, Dan Williams, announced the availability of the organization’s newly published 2023-24 Annual Report stating, “Names of all the award-winning workplace campaigns, as well as individual donors who pledged at the Leadership-Circle level, are listed.” Community members may access the report at LiveUnitedBR.org/Report.
More than 220 benefactors were in attendance on Wednesday and enjoyed a stirring musical performance by one of United Way’s former Board Chairs, Al Hulick. All the individuals and organizations honored at the Celebration and listed in United Way’s Annual Report help blaze a trail to a stronger community. To learn more, visit LiveUnitedBR.org.
Awards Presented
Williams also recognized the workplace campaigns that, through combined employee pledges and corporate gifts, exceeded $100,000 and thus earned United Way’s Cornerstone Award. Receiving the Cornerstone Award this year are ABC Supply Co. inc., Kerry, and Regal Rexnord.
Frito-Lay received the Emerging Campaign Award in recognition of its largest workplace campaign in more than a decade, increasing total dollars raised by $27,000 over last year. Frito-Lay’s revitalized campaign was made possible by strong tone at the top, generous employee pledges, and an impressive company match.
Family Services of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois’ recently retired Executive Director, John Pfleiderer, was honored with the Excellence in Advocacy Award.
“As the leader of Family Services for 24 years, John was a trailblazer like no other. His voice was one we knew we could count on to be informed, thoughtful, and honest,” said Fanning-Penny. “John’s unwavering commitment to and passion for social change is part of the very fiber of this community.”
A Beloit Health System Vice President and board member for United Way Blackhawk Region, Tom McCawley, was honored with the Geraldine Hedberg Volunteer of the Year Award.
Fanning-Penny described McCawley’s leadership style as, “helping others to find their voice and feel heard, by encouraging creative solutions and different perspectives, by not allowing any one issue or challenge to slow us down but instead, harnessing the talents of the collective to affect change.”
The LIVE UNITED Award, presented to a company that displays exceptional support for United Way through its workplace campaign, as well as volunteerism, was presented to Ecolab.
Derek Hahn, United Way Blackhawk Region’s past Board Chair, stated, “Ecolab is a valued and long-time partner, dedicated to making our world safer and healthier. In 2023, Ecolab attained 95% participation in its campaign, which is commendable for any organization, but particularly for a workforce its size.” Hahn continued, “Ecolab has also engaged in United Way’s mission by sponsoring a Born Learning Trail at Summit Park in Beloit. Beyond financial support, Ecolab is a loyal participant in United Way’s Day of Caring, sending multiple teams of hard-working volunteers every year.”
Sweepstakes winners announced
The high point of the event was the culmination of the GIVE & WIN Sweepstakes, first launched in 2022 to help commemorate the 10th anniversary of the unification of the former Stateline United Way and United Way of North Rock County. A director from Baker Tilly verified the integrity of the proceedings, randomly selected from a clear tumbler, and announced live the winner of the top two prizes.
Finalists for the $2,500 prize sponsored by Fairbanks Morse Defense included: Rebecca Flippin, an Assistant Director at Dollar General; Isaac Rojas, a Team Leader at Hormel; and Stacey Stackhouse, an advocate at Community Action, Inc. of Rock and Walworth Counties.
Finalists for the 2023 Chevy Trailblazer sponsored by an anonymous corporate partner included: Kimberly Byrne, an employee at ABC Supply Co.; Phil Smith, a business leader at Andritz Paperchine; and Kerry Swanson, CEO at HealthNet Rock County. The six finalists for the top two prizes were invited to attend but were not required to do so to win.
In accordance with the Sweepstakes’ official rules, winners of the sweepstakes prizes were drawn randomly by Baker Tilly, an independent auditing firm, and announced at the event. Sweepstakes prize winners were announced as follows: Green Bay Packers fan experience winner is Ben Ludtke; Airbnb gift card winner is Angela Slagle; Celebrate Beloit package winner is Isai Hernandez; Badger Basketball Date Night winner is Alec Schuh; Milwaukee Getaway package winner is Nicole Gorsline; and Hometown Pride package winner is Jeffrey Smith. Prize descriptions, sponsor recognition, official rules, and prize winners are posted online at LiveUnitedBR.org/Sweepstakes.
Meet our award winners
Emerging Campaign Award – About Frito-Lay
Frito-Lay achieved its largest workplace campaign in more than a decade, increasing total dollars raised by more than $27,000. Frito-Lay makes giving “good fun,” and their revitalized campaign was made possible by strong tone at the top, generous employee pledges, and an impressive company match. The innovative team of campaign coordinators at Frito-Lay included Brandi Whitt, Ben Ludtke, and Ryan Steuck.
Excellence in Advocacy Award – About John Pfleiderer
John Pfleiderer led Family Services of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois for 24 years and retired in the fall of 2023. During his tenure, United Way came to know Pfleiderer and forged a partnership that could be relied upon. Never shy to offer feedback on any number of topics, Pfleiderer’s voice was one that could be counted on to be informed, thoughtful, and honest. His insights are meaningful and measured. Through challenges big and small, through changes that shifted and reshaped the way we invest dollars in the Blackhawk Region, United Way has journeyed with and been grateful for Pfleiderer’s generosity of spirit in partnership.
Geraldine Hedberg Volunteer of the Year Award – About Tom McCawley
Tom McCawley is a Vice President at Beloit Health System. Currently, McCawley serves as Vice Chair on United Way’s Board of Directors and is slated to reprise his role as Chair next year. A passionate advocate with perfect attendance, McCawley’s volunteer resume also includes annual Day of Caring participation, loyal and informed community grant review panelist, and service on the Executive and Building & Property Committees. In addition to his United Way volunteerism, you can find McCawley delivering for Meals on Wheels in Beloit, at the Knights of Columbus Council, and every week at Beloit’s Noon Rotary Club.
LIVE UNITED Award – About Ecolab
The creative employee coordinators at Ecolab consistently deploy best practices in their campaign, leveraging fun themes and special events to drive participation year after year. In 2023, Ecolab attained 95% participation in its campaign, which is commendable for any organization, but particularly for a workforce its size. The company generously matches employee pledges and affords employees a voice in charitable giving through a grants committee. Ecolab has also engaged in United Way’s mission and impact by sponsoring a Born Learning Trail at Summit Park in Beloit. Beyond financial support, Ecolab is a loyal participant in United Way’s Day of Caring, sending multiple teams of hard-working volunteers every year.
Excellence in Advocacy Award – About John Pfleiderer
John Pfleiderer led Family Services of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois for 24 years and retired in the fall of 2023. During his tenure, United Way came to know Pfleiderer and forged a partnership that could be relied upon. Never shy to offer feedback on any number of topics, Pfleiderer’s voice was one that could be counted on to be informed, thoughtful, and honest. His insights are meaningful and measured. Through challenges big and small, through changes that shifted and reshaped the way we invest dollars in the Blackhawk Region, United Way has journeyed with and been grateful for Pfleiderer’s generosity of spirit in partnership.
Geraldine Hedberg Volunteer of the Year Award – About Tom McCawley
Tom McCawley is a Vice President at Beloit Health System. Currently, McCawley serves as Vice Chair on United Way’s Board of Directors and is slated to reprise his role as Chair next year. A passionate advocate with perfect attendance, McCawley’s volunteer resume also includes annual Day of Caring participation, loyal and informed community grant review panelist, and service on the Executive and Building & Property Committees. In addition to his United Way volunteerism, you can find McCawley delivering for Meals on Wheels in Beloit, at the Knights of Columbus Council, and every week at Beloit’s Noon Rotary Club.
LIVE UNITED Award – About Ecolab
The creative employee coordinators at Ecolab consistently deploy best practices in their campaign, leveraging fun themes and special events to drive participation year after year. In 2023, Ecolab attained 95% participation in its campaign, which is commendable for any organization, but particularly for a workforce its size. The company generously matches employee pledges and affords employees a voice in charitable giving through a grants committee. Ecolab has also engaged in United Way’s mission and impact by sponsoring a Born Learning Trail at Summit Park in Beloit. Beyond financial support, Ecolab is a loyal participant in United Way’s Day of Caring, sending multiple teams of hard-working volunteers every year.
CORNERSTONE AWARD
Workplace Campaigns that exceed $100,000.
- ABC Supply Co. inc.
- Kerry
- Regal Rexnord
GOLD AWARD
Workplace Campaigns that exceed $75,000 or campaigns with 60% participation and $125 per capita giving.
- Baker Tilly US, LLP
- Bank of Milton
- Beloit Meals on Wheels
- Boomerang Home Rentals
- CASA of Rock County
- CBI Bank & Trust
- Edgerton Community Outreach
- Electrol Specialties Company
- Fanning Excavating Inc.
- Finley Buick GMC
- Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Johnson Financial Group
- Mercyhealth
- Old National Bank
- Ryeco Inc
- United Way Blackhawk Region
- Wegner CPAs LLP
- Wells Fargo Advisors
SILVER AWARD
Workplace Campaigns of $50,000 to $74,999 or campaigns with 50% participation and $75 per capita giving.
- American Control Electronics
- Beloit Health System
- Cotta, LLC
- Culver’s of Beloit
- ECHO, Inc.
- Fairbanks Morse Defense
- First National Bank & Trust Company
- Forward Janesville
- Frito-Lay Incorporated
- Janesville Community Day Care Inc
- LifeCircle
- Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
BRONZE AWARD
Workplace Campaigns of $25,000 to $49,999 or campaigns with 40% participation and $50 per capita giving.
- Alliant Energy
- Associated Bank
- Beloit Box Board Company
- Blackhawk Community Credit Union
- BMO
- Community Action of Rock & Walworth Co
- Dollar General
- Ecolab Inc.
- Festival Foods
- HealthNet of Rock County
- PremierBank
- SSI Technologies, LLC
- Stateline Literacy Council
- Taylor Company
100% PARTICIPATION AWARD
Workplace Campaigns with 100% employee participation.
- Baker Tilly US, LLP
- Beloit Meals on Wheels
- Boomerang Home Rentals
- Edgerton Community Outreach
- Electrol Specialties Company
- Fanning Excavating Inc.
- LifeCircle
- United Way Blackhawk Region
- Wegner CPAs LLP
- Wells Fargo Advisors
PEGGY & EBBIE NEESE AWARD
Workplace Campaigns that achieved $500 or more in per capita giving.
- Baker Tilly US, LLP
- Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
- United Way Blackhawk Region
- Wells Fargo Advisors
