United Way of the Capital Region

United Way “Best of” Awards

United Way of the Capital Region (UWCR) created the “Best of” Awards to recognize the good work of individuals who are instrumental in the success of their company’s employee campaign. Honoring campaign coordinators, teams and companies, the awards celebrate the creativity taking place in the very best workplace campaigns. The “Best of” Awards is one of the ways that UWCR expresses thanks to those who promote team spirit, fun and cooperation while raising much needed funds to help those in need in our community.

The awards are divided into the following categories:

The Outstanding Campaign Coordinator / Team Award – Recognizes a campaign team or individual coordinator who conducts an exceptional employee campaign, demonstrating excellent leadership, innovative ideas, admirable increases in employee participation and/or per employee giving, and follows the majority of recommended best practices. Award is presented to three companies, based on employee size.

Special Event Award – Recognizes an organization that best engages employees with a fun and unique event. Companies will be judged on creativity and increased awareness of the campaign.

Best Incorporation of LIVE UNITED Award – Recognizes an organization that best uses the “LIVE UNITED” theme in their United Way campaign. Companies will be judged on creativity and increased awareness for the campaign.

About the Awards

• The awards are designed to recognize the quality of the campaign, employee support, participation, and financial and non-financial contributions.
• The awards are designed to honor companies of all sizes. The number of your employees is not a direct measure of your commitment.
• Nominations must be turned in to United Way by December 9, 2011.
• UWCR’s Coordinator Council will review all nominations and make the final selection. Winners will be announced at the Celebration Reception in January 2012.

To enter, please fill out the Nomination Form.

2011 Award Winners

United Way of the Capital Region presented the first Outstanding Campaign Coordinator/Team Award at its Celebration Reception in January. The Coordinator Council received an impressive 19 nominations. All of the nominations were outstanding, and demonstrated the dedication and hard work taking place at companies in the Capital Region.

Small Companies Category (companies with 5-99 employees)

This year’s winner was Brown Shultz Sheridan & Fritz. Some of the company’s extraordinary efforts during the 2010 campaign included:

• Increasing employee participation from 38 to 73 percent.
• Developing an incentive system to increase enthusiasm about their company campaign.
• Holding an employee breakfast to tell the United Way story to employees.

Medium Companies Category (companies with 100-499 employees)

The winner was Country Meadows Retirement Communities. Country Meadows implemented several new strategies for their 2010 campaign. The result was a 13 percent increase in employee participation. Highlights included:

• Participating in UWCR’s Day of Caring.
• Hosting a food drive for a local food bank.
• Holding special events throughout the campaign.

Large Companies Category (companies with 500 or more employees)

Highmark Blue Shield won this category by focusing on year-round awareness about United Way. Some of their many activities include:

• Incorporating the LIVE UNITED theme into special “lunch and learn” events for their employees.
• Strengthening their participation in UWCR’s Women’s Leadership Network and Bridges Society.
• Introducing new and different special events and incentives for employees.

For more information about the award, contact Jennifer Kern, UWCR campaign manager, at 717.724.4065, or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .