United Way of the Midlands recognizes many outstanding individuals and organizations throughout the year for their contributions to our community.
Pacesetter and Advanced Campaigns
Pacesetters are a select group of companies and organizations that choose to complete United Way campaigns before the official launch of campaign season. They “set the pace” for the upcoming campaign, helping to ensure at least 40% of the campaign total is secured when the campaign kicks off. To qualify as a Pacesetter, a company must commit to at least a 10% increase in participation or employee giving, and at least one volunteer activity.
- Pacesetter and Advanced Campaigns
2023-2024
PacesettersFirst Community Bank
First Reliance Bank
Fisher Phillips
Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc.
Publix Regional OfficeMental Illness Recovery Center
Palmetto Aids Recovery Center
Salvation Army of the Midlands
SC Power Team
Sylvamo
Central Midlands RTA
(THE COMET)
United Community BankAdvanced Campaigns
AgFirst Farm Credit Union
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Central Electric Power Cooperative
Coastal Carolina National Bank
Midlands Housing Alliance
Miller Valentine Group
Publix Super Markets:
#17 Kennerly Crossing
#67 Rosewood Shopping Center
#512 Lexington Place
#587 North Pointe Shopping Center
#597 Trenholm Place
#656 Columbiana Station
#829 Rice Creek Village
#883 Murray Landing
#1095 Gervais Place
#1383 Hendrix Crossing
#1511 Chapin Crossing
#1637 Lake Crossing
Shaw Industries
United Community Bank
United Way of the Midlands, SC
Wolfe & Taylor, Inc.
Alyce Kemp DeWitt Award
United Way of the Midlands is proud to honor Kevin Lindler as this year’s Alyce Kemp DeWitt recipient. The Alyce Kemp Dewitt Award is United Way’s most prestigious award for long-term service to the organization and the community.
- Alyce Kemp DeWitt Award Winner
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2024 Alyce Kemp DeWitt Award Winner - Kevin Lindler
Campaign Awards
Every year, United Way of the Midlands celebrates the volunteers and workplace campaigns who work hard to raise money for our community at the Live United Awards. Awards are given to the organizations who exhibit outstanding achievements during the campaign.
- Campaign Award Winners
View a complete list of award winners.
2023-2024 AWARD CATEGORIES
Awards Group One
1. Employee Giving Awards: Presented to organizations based on employee per capita giving at three levels:
Bronze: $50-$99 per capita
Silver: $100-$149 per capita
Gold: $150 or more per capita2. Premier Award: New campaigns over $1,000.
3. Trailblazer Awards: Campaigns with a 10% (and at least $500) increase in giving.
Awards Group Two
1. Best in Class: Award based on three criteria—percent participation, employee per capita gift and increase in total giving. This award will be given to one organization in each of the following categories:
Private Sector (100 or more employees)
Private Sector (less than 100 employees)
Public Sector (100 or more employees)
Public Sector (less than 100 employees)2. Division Chairman Awards: Selected by Division Chairs for having made the most impact on their division’s outcome.
Public Sector
Professionals
Industry
Business
Opportunity3. Corporate Award: Awarded to organizations with the highest corporate per capita gift in three size categories:
500+ employees
100-499 employees
20-99 employees4. Special Event: Awarded to the organization raising the most money in special events
5. Best New Campaign: Awarded to the company with a brand new campaign that raised the most money
Community Leaders Awards:
Two awards limited to organizations and contributing over $100,000:
Most dollars raised
Best overall campaign
Community Impact Awards
The United Way of the Midlands Community Impact Award recipients are people or groups that have demonstrated a commitment to volunteering and made an impact to causes, programs or projects that support human service needs in the Midlands. Award recipients are volunteers with United Way of the Midlands’ Certified Partner Agencies.
- Community Impact Award Winners
The 2023-2024 Community Impact Award recipients are:
Gina Hepler, Senior Resources
Tom Clements, Midlands Housing Alliance/Transitions
Brandon Templeton, Home Works of America
Humanitarian of the Year Award
The Humanitarian of the Year Award is given each year to an individual who clearly demonstrates extraordinary leadership in philanthropic and human services. It is the highest single honor of philanthropic achievement in the Midlands.
- 2024 Award Winner James Lehman
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LIVE UNITED Volunteer Award
The United Way of the Midlands LIVE UNITED Award recipient is a volunteer that has dedicated him or herself to service throughout the year and helped promote the spirit of volunteering with United Way. Winners are chosen by a selection committee of United Way volunteers.
- LIVE UNITED Volunteer Award Winners
United Way of the Midlands is proud to present the 2023-2024 LIVE UNITED Volunteer awards to:
United Way is fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers, and we would like to congratulate and recognize Cathy Dolan and Brittany Owen.
Spirit of the Midlands Award
The Spirit of the Midlands Award for Corporate Leadership is presented to a corporate partner that embodies an overall spirit of giving through contributions of time, leadership and resources in support of United Way’s work in the priority issues of student success, financial stability and health access. Submit your nomination here by March 28.
- Award Winners
2023-2024 Winner: Miller Valentine
2022-2023 Winner: AgFirst Farm Credit Bank
2021-2022 Winner: Elliott Davis
2020-2021 Winner: AgFirst Farm Credit Bank
2019-2020 Winner: Elliott Davis
2018-2019 Winner: Enterprise Holdings
2017-2018 Winner: BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
2016-2017 Winner: AgFirst Farm Credit Bank
2015-2016 Winner: Elliott Davis
2014-2015 Winner: McNair Law Firm
2013-2014 Winner: SCANA
2012-2013 Winner: Colonial Life
Judith M. Davis Volunteer of the Year Award
This award will provide tuition and travel expenses for a current YLS donor employed in the private sector to attend a tuition and travel expenses to attend a 2-3 day Harvard University Leadership Development course in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Winners are selected based on a demonstrated commitment to community service and a desire for professional development. Learn more about the award here. Interested in nominating someone?
- About the Award
Judith M. Davis was Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer for BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and its Companion Companies. Judy served the community for many years and in a number of capacities, including as a board member for Engenuity SC, SC Launch, United Way of the Midlands, Central Carolina Community Foundation, Columbia College and Palmetto Conservation Foundation. She chaired the boards of the United Way of the Midlands, South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, the Central Carolina Community Foundation and Trinity Housing Corporation of Columbia. In 2006, she chaired the United Way campaign that raised $9.5 million. She was a charter member of United Way’s Legacy Society and a Tocqueville Society member.Judy was particularly interested in mentoring and developing talented, creative young professionals and encouraging them to get involved in serving the Midlands. Judy possessed both sharp business acumen and a passion for serving others, which combined has created lasting change in the community. It is with this spirit in mind that the Judith M. Davis Volunteer of the Year Award has been created.
This award will provide tuition and travel expenses for a current YLS donor employed in the private sector to attend a tuition and travel expenses to attend a 2-3 day Harvard University Leadership Development course in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Winners are selected based on a demonstrated commitment to community service and a desire for professional development. Qualifications include a minimum of 30 hours of community service in the last year, at least one year of nonprofit volunteer board or committee service, and must be currently employed with a for-profit organization.
Past Recipients
2017-18 - Philip Vann
2018-19 - Drew Stevens
2019-20 - Katy Bair
2021-22 - Alesia Jerrells
2022-2023 - Deonna Wylie
2023-2024 - Thomas Tafel