United Way of Central Florida Presents Awards at Annual Meeting
Thank you to everyone who attended our 2018 Annual Meeting at the RP Funding Center last week.
We celebrated a record-breaking campaign that brought in $9,371,971 to help improves the lives of everyone in Central Florida. United Way of Central Florida President and CEO Alan H. Turner II also announced an additional $461,707 was raised to help the victims of Hurricane Irma.
“United Way of Central Florida wouldn’t be what it is today without such engaged leaders in the community,” Turner said. “I feel like tonight’s winners are an excellent representation of the kind of people we have here in Central Florida who fight to make a positive impact.”
- The 2017 Citizen of the Year went to Michael Tamney for his years of service to the organization.
- The George W. Jenkins Volunteer of the Year Award goes to a UWCF board member or former board member who has gone above and beyond. This year, it was presented to Polk County Tax Collector, Joe Tedder.
- This year’s Philanthropist of the Year goes to a man whose generosity knows no bounds, Alan Jay Wildstein, Alan Jay Automotive Network.
- Saddle Creek Logistics Services received the Spirit of Central Florida Award for their employees’ work that surpassed all expectations and exemplifies the giving spirit of this community.
- The 2017 Employee Coordinator of the Year was awarded to Tori Pazda with DSM Technology Consultants, Inc.
- The South Florida Avenue Cup, that started as a little friendly competition between Clark, Campbell, Lancaster & Munson and Allen & Company, has turned into a serious – but still cordial rivalry. This year it was awarded to Allen & Company for bringing in a total of $54,965.
- Our inaugural Build United food drive launched this February when 13 teams stepped up to a unique challenge. These teams were asked to not just collect food, but to turn what they collected into a creative sculpture. Our teams collected a total of 5,608 items of food and made some amazing structures. The winner of The Golden Can Award is New Beginnings High School.
For their contributions and support, some of the top companies were recognized.
- 2017 Best New Campaign Award winner – AgAmerica Lending
- Summit Award – Small Company – Boring Business Services
- Summit Award – Medium Company – Polk County Tax Collector’s Office
- Summit Award – Large Company – Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Recognized for their efforts, a select group of Outstanding Employee Coordinators (ECs) were honored:
- Outstanding Coordinator for a small company: Bruce Hall with Metalcoat, Inc. of Florida.
- Outstanding Coordinator for a medium company: Nancy Dodd with Duke Energy.
- Outstanding Coordinator for a large organization: Donna Sheehan and Cameron Stevens with The City of Winter Haven.
- Outstanding Coordinator for a Partner Agency: Ashley Miller with VISTE.
