United Way Celebrates Record Breaking Year by Honoring Volunteers and Local Business Partners

SANTA ROSA, Calif. - June 6, 2013 - PRLog -- United Way recently honored volunteers and local businesses at the annual United Way Campaign Close Celebration held at Shone Farm in Forestville, CA.  The awards recognize volunteers and companies for excellence in community fundraising, volunteering and advocacy work.

“This is an event where we can thank all who have joined hands and opened their hearts to support United Way. This year we were able to connect tutors with more than 500 children to help improve 3rd grade reading proficiency and prepare, for free, over 2,300 tax returns which brought in more than $3.4 million in tax refunds back into our community. We could not do this without our partners and volunteers, this is a night to show our appreciation,” said Mike Kallhoff, President and CEO for United Way of the Wine Country.

Medtronic received this year’s highest tribute, the Spirit of the Wine Country Award. Other nominees in the category included Exchange Bank and the County of Sonoma. Medtronic, 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.

Exchange Bank 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 Medtronic and Wells Fargo.

The Communications Workers of America Local 9400 (AT&T) won the Campaign Champion Award which recognizes a person, committee or team that champions the United Way message, and helps create a fun, informative campaign that benefits the community.  Nominees included Hansel Auto Group, JDSU and Redwood Credit Union.

Constellation Brands (Simi Winery, Clos du Bois, Ravenswood Winery, & Dunnewood Vineyards) received the Trailblazer Award which recognizes a new campaign who truly represents the Live United philosophy.

United Way also honored five individuals with awards: Gloria Pearson received the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Volunteer of the Year, Chuck Pheil received the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Site Coordinator of the Year, Cliff Ferrell received the Schools of Hope Volunteer of the Year, Kimi Ogg received the Schools of Hope Coordinator of the Year and Mike and Suzy Marzalek received the Philanthropists of the Year Award.

United Way's Campaign Close Celebration was sponsored by Comcast, Wells Fargo, Kaiser Permanente, Froggy 92.9 and KSRO. Event photographer was provided by Melissa Morelli.

Complete listing of award recipients:

Spirit of the Wine Country Award: Medtronic
Campaign Excellence Award: Exchange Bank
Campaign Champion Award: The Communications Workers of America Local 9400 (AT&T)
Trailblazer Award: Constellation Brands (Simi Winery, Clos du Bois, Ravenswood Winery, & Dunnewood Vineyards)
Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Volunteer of the Year: Gloria Pearson
Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Site Coordinator of the Year: Chuck Pheil
Schools of Hope Volunteer of the Year: Cliff Ferrell
Schools of Hope Coordinator of the Year: Kimi Ogg
Philanthropists of the Year: Mike and Suzy Marzalek

About United Way of the Wine Country

United Way of the Wine Country works to advance the common good along the North Coast of California in Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Del Norte and Humboldt Counties. We mobilize the caring power of our communities to address underlying problems, improve lives and build a healthy vibrant community by focusing on issues surrounding education, income and health. For more information, visit United Way of the Wine Country online at www.unitedwaywinecountry.org.