United Way of Martin County recently held its annual Champions of the Community event, spotlighting the volunteers, donors, companies and agencies that have made an impact on improving lives in Martin County.

One of the key moments is the announcement of whether United Way has attained its fund-raising goal for the year. Campaign chairman Richard Levine, the vice president and general manager at Macy’s, announced that United Way of Martin County was closing in on this year’s goal of $2.2 million.

“But, as you know, I’ve always thought we could do even more,” Mr. Levine said. “The reason to press forward is that our true goals are measured in other ways. Our priorities are to reduce youth substance abuse, expand services to a growing elderly population, increase access to health care for the uninsured, and provide stability for people in crisis. These pressing concerns are what each of us has an eye on when making donations, volunteering, or contributing our talents or goods.”

During the event at the Hutchinson Island Marriott on March 22, two groups of dynamic young people from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Martin County pumped up the audience with singing and dancing: The Klub Klowns from Indiantown and the Extreme Dancers from Port Salerno.

From there, Mr. Levine and master of ceremonies Bryan Garner, Treasure Coast Bureau Chief for WPTV-Channel 5, took over – presenting awards to organizations and individuals who have worked so hard during the course of the year to support United Way and the community.

Here are the Champions of the Community for 2006-07:

CORPORATE CHAMPION AWARD: Publix Super Markets

This year, Publix totaled $280,919 in giving from the employees and the corporation.

COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD: Loblolly

This year, Loblolly raised $151,099 and had the highest per capita giving of all communities -- $690 per household.

CAMPAIGN CHAMPION AWARD:
Massey-Yardley Chrysler Dodge

Massey-Yardley donated a 2007 Dodge Caliber to offer as the sweepstakes prize in the United Way Step-Up Challenge. The challenge encouraged people to increase their giving by a dollar a week ($52 a year) in order to enter the sweepstakes for a car. The Step-Up Challenge quadrupled Massey-Yardley’s investment, raising $70,000 new dollars and encouraging hundreds of new donors to give.

COMMUNICATIONS CHAMPION: Greg Sowell

As a volunteer project, Greg produced a video that United Way was able to use to show donors “what matters.”

AGENCY SPIRIT AWARD:
Caring Children/Clothing Children
This prestigious award is given each year to the agency that has demonstrated great support for United Way. Led by volunteers, The 4-Cs Club identified a key community need and addressed it. The agency continues to grow, with active volunteer support and new programs addressing literacy and young people’s success.

RESOURCE INVESTMENT CHAMPION: Taunya Bryant

Taunya is the chairwoman of the Resource Investment Committee, which oversees the tough task of deciding how to distribute the funds from the United Way campaign.

CHARACTER COUNTS! CHAMPIONS:
The Law Offices of Kramer, Sopko and Levenstein
and the accounting firm of Proctor, Crook and Crowder

These two outstanding business partners demonstrate ethical business practices and are actively involved with CHARACTER COUNTS! – helping to build a strong ethical foundation in our youth and community.

SUCCESS BY 6 CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN:
Debbie Crowder

Debbie Crowder has devoted her entire professional career to the education of young children and most recently has been a guiding light in United Way’s early childhood initiative, Success By 6, especially through the development of the Literacy Network.

MARTIN VOLUNTEERS CHAMPIONS:
Marie DuBois and George Phillips

Marie DuBois has been instrumental in launching and leading Martin Volunteers’ ambassador program, which was designed to generate an influx of new volunteers and energize relations with dozens of agencies.  

George Phillips holds a major role in one of our signature projects -- warehouse manager for the White Doves Holiday Project. He puts in more than 400 volunteer hours preparing the White Doves warehouse for distribution days, organizing deliveries, taking in donations, and instructing dozens of other volunteers.

ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE AWARD:
Carol and Bob Weissman

This prestigious award is presented to an individual or couple who have provided outstanding volunteer service and philanthropy to the community. Through the years, the Weissmans have made significant gifts to a variety of organizations, including the United Way Foundations of Martin and St. Lucie counties, the Florida Oceanographic Society and the Martin Memorial Hospital Foundation.

THE PRESIDENT’S AWARD: FPL

This award is given annually to honor extraordinary efforts in support of United Way -- not necessarily just in relation to the campaign, but including work with our programs, initiatives and agency partners. As one of the largest employers in the area, FPL is a good neighbor. Employees and the company contribute thousands of dollars each year to local charitable organizations through their participation in United Way campaigns on the Treasure Coast. This year, FPL’s contribution to United Way of Martin County totaled $250,833.

EVENT SPONSORS

United Way of Martin County would like to thank its sponsors for supporting the event. Silver Sponsors were Pratt & Whitney and Publix Super Markets Charities. Bronze Sponsors were Captec Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Power & Light, and Macy’s.