CAMPAIGN AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Our business and community partners go above and beyond every year

Each year, United Way of Kennebec Valley presents awards to the top-performing fundraisers in the area. Award winners are selected by our Campaign Chairs and Campaign Committee each year and presented at our Campaign Celebration.

2022 Campaign Award Winners

Large business partner of the year

Hannaford Supermarkets 

Under the leadership of several Employee Campaign Managers, the seven Hannafords in our region truly stepped up to support our community this past year. By increasing volunteerism, joining UWKV’s Campaign Champions Committee and achieving 98 percent participation at the Elm Plaza Store the Kennebec County, Hannaford’s have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the mission of UWKV. This award is given to a company with 35+ employees that has demonstrated outstanding United Way leadership.

SMALL BUSINESS PARTNER OF THE YEAR

365 Small business circle 

This award is typically given to a company with up to 34 employees that has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to United Way’s mission. This year, UWKV is recognizing its 365 Small Business Circle, which consists of 31 businesses across Kennebec County that donate $1/day for the whole year. In the past seven years, this small but mighty group has contributed more than $88,927 to UWKV’s annual campaign appeal — $14,628 raised this year alone — showing that even as a small business they can make a huge and lasting impact on our community.

Public service PARTNER OF THE YEAR

mainegeneral health

This award is given to a nonprofit or government partner that has supported the campaign in new or stronger ways and during the 2022 campaign. It’s important that United Way’s funded programs also buy into the work we’re doing, and that’s why all of them host an employee giving campaign. This year UWKV is recognizing MaineGeneral Health for its outstanding campaign efforts, which resulted in a 15 percent increase over last year’s campaign! Much of this success can be attributed to the impacts of the pandemic. MaineGeneral staff saw firsthand how much COVID has impacted lives in our community — in response, donors demonstrated their commitments to supporting all facets of the community with their generosity. Additionally, an incredibly generous doctor stepped up to match all medical staff gifts to the campaign.

CHAIRPERSON'S recognition award

thomas college

This award is given annually to an entity that truly exemplifies what it means to Live United. The recipient exhibits a commitment and dedication to the overall advancement of United Way. Sue Grenier and Nate Curtis are pleased to say that they have chosen Thomas College as this year’s recipient. ECMs Kerry Smart and Lisa Nolon have gone above and beyond to increase Thomas’ annual UW campaign — resulting in a 156% increase over last year! Additionally, Kerry served as a Campaign Champion this year, spending many hours reaching out to new businesses for their support. 

NORM TEMPLE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AWARD

south parish congregational church, ucc

This award is presented to a group or individual in recognition of exceptional community service. In 2022, a group of volunteers from South Parish Congregational Church, UCC recognized the need for an overnight warming shelter in Augusta. With the support from UWKV's Innovation fund, the Augusta Emergency Overnight Warming Shelter was established and offers a place for our neighbors and friends to stay warm during the coldest nights of the year. This shelter addresses just one piece of a much larger housing crisis in our community.

Employee campaign manager of the Year AWARD

paul van savage and his team at team ejp 

A company’s Employee Campaign Manager is really the hero and fuel behind the success of any campaign. Without his or her passion, voice, organizational skills, and work, the business’ campaign would not have been able to flourish. The Employee Campaign Manager of the Year award is given to the person or persons who best exemplify the spirit of what it means to LIVE UNITED when facilitating a workplace campaign. Paul Van Savage and the folks at Team EJP have done an extraordinary job conducting the Team EJP campaign. Through coordinating visits with every UW across all EJP locations across the nation, sending out a letter asking for support, and Peter Prescott offering very generous incentives for those who donate, Team EJP was able to increase its campaign by nine % over last year! Team EJP’s success can be attributed to the huge increase in first-time donors with many of them donating $1/week — Team EJP saw a 118% increase in employee participation!