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
-
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
-
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 29.
- Award Winners
2022-2023 Spirit of the Midlands Award Winner: AgFirst Farm Credit Bank
AgFirst Farm Credit Bank was selected to receive the Spirit of the Midlands Award for Corporate Leadership by United Way of the Midlands.
The Spirit of the Midlands Award for Corporate Leadership is presented to a partner that embodies an overall spirit of giving through contributions of time, leadership, and resources in support of United Way’s work in priority issues of financial stability, health access and education.
"AgFirst's unwavering dedication to the Midlands community shines brightly through our deep-rooted partnership with the United Way and its esteemed network of organizations,” said Tim Amerson, President and CEO of AgFirst. “We proudly uphold this commitment, driven by our employees' wholehearted embrace of our company culture, and it is this collective effort that continues to transform lives, making a meaningful difference in the Midlands for good."
AgFirst encourages its employees to dedicate time to volunteering by allocating eight hours of paid time off each year for volunteer work.
“AgFirst's commitment to the community shines through its impactful volunteer efforts. From packing food boxes at Harvest Hope alongside the Bank's CEO to partnering with FoodShare for food box packing, AgFirst employees demonstrate their dedication to addressing food insecurity,” said Trevor Knox, Spirit of the Midlands Committee Chair. “Additionally, their involvement with Home Works to rebuild a back deck and steps, volunteering at the Salvation Army Christmas Warehouse, and serving lunch monthly at Transitions showcases their unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those they serve.”
AgFirst's commitment to community extends beyond traditional volunteer work as their employees actively contribute their time and expertise to serve on various United Way boards. With individuals like Audit Manager Shannon Eichelberger on the United Way Board of Directors, Marketing Strategist Heather Jensen Garner on the United Way Communications Committee, Controller Matt Miller on the United Way Finance Committee, Laura Kauffman as Chair for the Business Division of the United Way Campaign Committee, and Kaih Taylor serving on the Women in Philanthropy Engagement Committee, AgFirst's volunteers bring their diverse skills and perspectives to support UWM's mission.
AgFirst contributed $118,081 in employee giving, $50,000 in corporate donations, $999 from the special event, and $10,000 to United Way’s annual Gold sponsorship, totaling $179,079 donated to United Way in the past year.
“AgFirst’s partnership has been a beacon of hope and a catalyst for positive change in the Midlands,” said Sara Fawcett, President and CEO of United Way of the Midlands. “AgFirst's generosity and dedication have empowered us to serve our community, uplift lives, and create lasting impact. Together, we are making a tangible difference, and we extend our thanks to AgFirst for their contributions to our shared vision of a thriving Midlands."
This is the third year that AgFirst Farm Credit Bank has received the Spirit of the Midlands Award for Corporate Leadership for its outstanding local community support efforts.
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