Every year, United Way Worldwide (our national central support services and brand management organization) honors corporate partners who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the concept of LIVE UNITED. This year five corporations were honored and four of them are organizations with whom we partner on community philanthropy here in our region.

U.S. Bank received the Spirit of America Award, the highest award given by the United Way national network. Richard Davis, Chairman President & CEO of U.S. Bank, received the award from UWW President Brian Gallagher and was glowing in his praise of the work United Ways are doing around the country in the areas of education, financial stability and health.

Locally, we enjoy a great relationship with Tim King and the regional U.S. Bank team, including one of its newest members. Barry Brundage, who just arrived here from Dallas, is now their regional Managing Director for Wealth Management. Barry has joined the core group helping us move our new planned giving effort forward–working with Leo Hamill of Wells Fargo and local estate planning attorney Mark Drobny.

Nationwide last year, U.S. Bank and its employees contributed $38 million to charity and more than 36,000 of its employees volunteered their time to a variety of projects, many of which focus on financial literacy for youth.

Also honored this year were Bank of America, Microsoft Corporation and Procter and Gamble–each of whom received two Summit Awards and all of whom partner with our United Way for local fundraising and/or community benefit activities.
Bank of America received its Summit Awards for its work on financial stability and volunteer engagement. We’re honors to have had local Market President Kathie Sowa on our board for several years now.

Microsoft was honored for its work in education and philanthropic engagement. P&G was recognized for its work in education and for its volunteer engagement.