September 2020
Your monthly news & updates
2020 Annual Celebration
United Way Celebrates Campaign Achievement
United Way of the Eastern Panhandle held its 2020 Annual Celebration on August 12 to recognize businesses and individuals for their contributions to the 2019 United Way campaign. The meeting was an opportunity for United Way to review the year, recognize award winners, and salute outgoing board members.
   
To kick off the virtual event, a special presentation showcased United Way grant-funded partner agency, BlackCat Music Cooperative. See the video here:
CEO Penny Porter highlighted the achievements of the 2019-2020 campaign year and announced community investments totaling over 1.5 million dollars.

These community investments included a new initiative, the Unity Campaign. The Unity Campaign was designed to empower nonprofits in their own fundraising efforts resulting in a community investment of $278,176. View the video of one of our Unity Campaign participating agencies, Horses with Hearts:
Rising Star Awards were presented to eighteen area businesses that achieved a 5% or more increase in campaign contributions.

The Spirit of Giving award was presented to The Journal, United Bank, and West Virginia Radio Corporation in recognition of efforts and contributions that exemplify the spirit of philanthropy.

Mike McGinnis of Potomac Edison, was honored with the Campaign Volunteer of the Year Award for leading his campaign team's efforts resulting in an increase of 234% for their workplace campaign.

The top three employee workplace campaigns were; Gold Award: Procter & Gamble; Silver Award: Potomac Edison; Bronze Award: Orgill.

Ken Collinson was awarded the Marvin J. Yurish Spirit Award for his dedication to the Grant Review Team and his ongoing commitment to the partnerships and programs he has helped to develop as a supporter of United Way.

Outgoing Board Chair, Lyn Goodwin was recognized for her leadership during the 2019-2020 fiscal year and passed the ceremonial gavel to the incoming Board Chair, Rebecca Linton. Four new officers were also announced: Jenn Williams as Campaign Chair, Don Jacot as Vice-Chair, Charlotte Norris as Secretary, and Jonathan Agee as Treasurer.  

Keith Busby was presented with the Lieutenant General William J. Van Ryzin Award for his outstanding achievement in maintaining and developing the organizational effectiveness and capacity of United Way of the Eastern Panhandle. 

To close out the celebration, Wildwood Middle School student Zion Johnson read his winning poem from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Poetry Contest. The middle school was the recipient of United Way grant funding during the 2019-2020 year. His reading of the poem can be viewed here:
I Have a Dream
Where life is not as bad
And people's faces aren't as sad
I have a dream
Where we heal the hurt
And look at life for what it's worth
I have a dream
Where every child has a toy
And everybody is full of joy
I have a dream
Where there is no violence
And one that we help those that scream in silence
I have a dream
Where people don't worry about clout
And instead help each other out
I have a dream
Where there is a smile on everyone's face
And the earth becomes a better place.

I Have a Dream
Where racism is no longer
And hearts rid of long-lasting anger
I have a dream
Where injustice of all people
Will be no longer and we all will truly be treated equal
I have a dream
Where we as a country can finally come together
And end this rainy weather
I have dream
Where equality is truly achieved
And peace and harmony will be received
I have a dream
Where we reach Dr. King's promise land
And together we will stand.

I Have a Dream
Where failure is not an option
But the thought of it is only a disruption
I have a dream
Where goals are not only set
But they are met
I have a dream
Where struggling in not a sign of weakness
But instead is a foreshadow of upcoming perseverance
I have a dream
Where motivation is key
And success is up and coming for me.

I Have a Dream
Where success is not limited
And new fields of work can be inhibited
I have a dream
Where success is not only obtainable
But it also is sustainable
I have a dream
Where success can not only be reached
But the path to it can be taught and preached
I have a dream
Where success is gained by trial and error
And no one on the path is deterred by a small terror.
A recording of the 2020 Annual Celebration is available here: