(June 7, 2012, Santa Rosa) – United Way recently honored local businesses with their annual Community Partnership Awards. Presented at the United Way Campaign Close Celebration held at Shone Farm in Forestville, CA, the awards recognize companies and their employees for excellence in community fundraising, volunteering and advocacy work.
Kaiser Permanente received this year’s highest tribute, the Spirit of the Wine Country Award. Other nominees in the category included AT&T and JDSU. Kaiser Permanente, as well as the other nominees for Spirit of the Wine Country, demonstrated exceptional leadership in philanthropy through their employee giving campaign, corporate contributions, event sponsorship, volunteerism and overall commitment to advance the common good.
Medtronic received the Campaign Excellence Award for campaign results, corporate giving, event sponsorship, employee volunteerism and overall commitment to make the community a better place to live and work. Other nominees included Agilent Technologies and the County of Sonoma.
Exchange Bank won the Campaign Momentum Award for significantly improved campaign results and supporting United Way through sponsorship of events including the United Way Children’s Book Drive, and for employee volunteerism. Exchange Bank continues to be an important cornerstone for the United Way campaign as well as supporting other efforts in making a positive impact on the community. Nominees included Comcast and Sonoma Bank.
“Once again our community has come together, united, to create lasting change. Our partnerships with companies large and small, non-profits and individuals, are imperative to continuing our work of changing community conditions. Together, we are making a difference that will be felt for generations to come,” said Mike Kallhoff, President and CEO for United Way of the Wine Country.
United Way also honored six individuals with awards: Fred Van Milligan from JDSU received the Executive Campaign Chair of the Year Award, Matt McPherson from Redwood Credit Union received the Employee Campaign Leader of the Year Award, Herb and Jane Dwight received the Philanthropists of the Year Award and Joe and Catherine Bartolomei, owners of The Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant, received the In-Kind Award.
United Way's Campaign Close Celebration was sponsored by Comcast and Wells Fargo. Event photographers were Sandy Miller from S. Miller Photography and Megan Rhodes from Megan Rhodes Photography.
Complete listing of award recipients:
• Spirit of the Wine Country Award: Kaiser Permanente
• Campaign Excellence Award: Medtronic
• Campaign Momentum Award: Exchange Bank
• Executive Campaign Chair of the Year: Fred Van Milligen, JDSU
• Employee Campaign Leader of the Year: Matt McPherson, Redwood Credit Union
• Philanthropists of the Year: Herb and Jane Dwight
• In-Kind Award: Joe and Catherine Bartolomei: The Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant
Click here for photos from the event
