2020-2021 Annual Report Published
(BLACKHAWK REGION) – United Way Blackhawk Region typically invites corporate partners, donors, United Way-funded program partners and advocates to its annual Live United Celebration in March. At the breakfast event, United Way recognizes award-winning workplace campaigns, the Geraldine Hedberg Volunteer of the Year, Excellence in Advocacy Award winner, and presents the prestigious Live United Award. While COVID-19 precluded the gathering in March, United Way Blackhawk Region is thrilled to announce the award recipients who will be formally recognized at the campaign kickoff in the fall.
Fairbanks Morse Defense will receive the Emerging Campaign Award, in recognition for creating an atmosphere of support for United Way. “With new community-minded leadership, this 125-year -old company reported the most employee pledges since 2015,” said United Way President & CEO Mary Fanning-Penny “Employee pledges were then generously matched dollar-for-dollar by the corporation.”
United Way also recognizes honorees for their advocacy and volunteerism. The “Sew Connected Mask Warriors”, a grassroots volunteer project managed by United Way Board Member Jen White, is honored with the Excellence in Advocacy Award. “These modern-day Rosie the Riveters responded to a call of duty for our time, sewing 4,500 masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19,” United Way Vice President Denise Peters-Kauihou said. “Then distributed them, observing social distancing protocols, throughout the Blackhawk Region to 45 local organizations and held four public curbside pickups.”
Bob Compton of Lycon, Inc. will be honored with the Geraldine Hedberg Volunteer of the Year Award. “Bob donated countless evenings and weekends to an endless list of fixer-upper projects in United Way’s Community Services Building,” Fanning-Penny said. “A talented “Jack of All Trades”, Bob Compton answered our call for help with a gregarious personality, supreme work ethic, and heart of gold. With Bob’s broad skill set and talents, no job was too big or too small.”
The annual LIVE UNITED Award, presented to a company that displays exceptional support for United Way through its workplace campaign, as well as volunteerism, is presented to Alliant Energy. “Alliant Energy knew United Way’s annual Community Campaign was likely to see a shortfall in its efforts to achieve its goal and made the decision to increase its already generous dollar-for-dollar match of employee pledges to an impressive $2 for $1,” Fanning-Penny said. “This resulted in a 54 percent overall increase of dollars pledged. Alliant Energy led the way as the first organization to donate to United Way Blackhawk Region’s COVID-19 Action Fund, last spring. Alliant Energy was also the first corporate sponsor for two of United Way’s new, family-friendly, Born Learning Trails in Beloit and Janesville.
Projections for the annual Community Campaign results are also traditionally announced at the Live United Celebration. Pledges to United Way’s 2020 Community Campaign are projected at 93 percent of the $2.4 million goal, only $33,000 less than 2019 pledges.
“Despite tremendous efforts by our volunteers, corporate partners, and lean team, we did not attain the goal,” Fanning-Penny said. “We have communicated this expectation proactively with funded partners as it will mean a reduced allocation pool for upcoming grants.”
In addition to the 2020 campaign, nearly $189,000 was donated by the community to United Way Blackhawk Region’s COVID-19 Action Fund. United Way Blackhawk Region quickly launched the fund last March to provide flexible resources to nonprofit programs in Rock County and northern Winnebago County that directly support local, vulnerable residents and families affected by the health and economic consequences of the pandemic.
More than 50 local companies will receive Campaign Awards for their exceptional support of the Community Campaign, including four companies, ABC Supply Co. inc., Kerry, Mercyhealth and Regal that will receive the impressive Cornerstone Award for campaigns that exceeded $100,000.
“Alongside the prestigious Cornerstone Award winners, a commemorative plague will also be presented to Mark and Kathy Bush as individual Cornerstone donors for their generous personal contribution of more than $100,000,” said Fanning-Penny. “We are extremely grateful to these longstanding and passionate advocates for helping United Way with its anticipated goal shortfall.”
To see a full list of campaign awards, Leadership Circle donors, and to learn more about United Way Blackhawk Region’s collective impact, access the newly released 2020-2021 Annual Report at LiveUnitedBR.org/Report.
United Way’s 2020 Community Campaign Awards
Cornerstone Award
Workplace campaigns that exceed $100,000
ABC Supply Co. inc.
Kerry
Mercyhealth
Regal
Gold Awards
Workplace campaigns that exceed $75,000 or campaigns with 60% participation and $125 per capita giving
American Control Electronics
Baker Tilly
Bank of Milton
Beloit Box Board Co.
Beloit Meals on Wheels
BMO Harris Bank
CASA of Rock County
Electrol Specialties Company
Finley Buick GMC
First Community Bank
Hagen CPA
Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Johnson Financial Group
Nowlan & Mouat
Old National Bank
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
RSM US
United Parcel Service
United Way Blackhawk Region
Wells Fargo Advisors
Silver
Workplace campaigns of $50,000 to $74,999 or campaigns with 50% participation and $75 per capita giving
Alliant Energy
Associated Bank
Beloit Health System
Blackhawk Bank
Blackhawk Community Credit Union
Blackhawk Propane Company
Century 21 Affiliated of Janesville
Culver’s of Beloit
Edgerton Community Outreach
Family Services of SWANI
First National Bank & Trust Company
HealthNet of Rock County
Janesville Community Day Care
Tricor Insurance
Bronze
Workplace campaigns of $25,000 to $49,999 or campaigns with 40% participation and $50 per capita giving
Boys & Girls Club of Janesville
City of Janesville
Ecolab
Fairbanks Morse Defense
Festival Foods
Forward Janesville
Hendricks Holding Co, Inc.
JP Cullen & Sons
LifeCircle
Pieper Power
Salvation Army Rock County
School District of Janesville*
SENB Bank
SSI Technologies LLC
Taylor Company
YWCA Rock County
100% Participation
Workplace campaigns with 100% employee participation
Baker Tilly
Beloit Meals on Wheels
Blackhawk Propane
Boys & Girls Club of Janesville
Culver’s of Beloit
Edgerton Community Outreach
Festival Foods
Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
LifeCircle
NAMI Rock County
Salvation Army Rock County
SENB Bank
Tricor Insurance
United Way Blackhawk Region
Peggy & Ebbie Neese Award of Excellence
Workplace campaigns that achieved $500 or more in per capita giving
Baker Tilly
Regal
United Way Blackhawk Region
Wells Fargo Advisors
