United Way Awards Presented at Annual Luncheon

Last Updated on Monday, 29 May 2017 18:57

By J.R. Brower

On May 18, the United Way of Washington County hosted their 10^th annual awards luncheon at Bella Sera restaurant in Canonsburg.

Representatives of Range Resources, whose efforts made their company top yearly contributor to the Washington County United Way gathered for a photo.

Over 200 guests attended the event, which celebrated and recognized United Way campaign success, community volunteers and over 90 years of service in Washington County. Local United Way President Barbara Murphy was assisted by Community Services Director Sharon Russell in presenting the awards and recognizing outstanding achievements of the past year.

Murphy said that community impact grants are distributed so that the money allocated does as much good as possible. “Together we are working to improve education, financial stability and health in Washington County by funding more than 38 local programs,” Murphy said.

She said that well over a million dollars of United Way funds were distributed in Washington County over the past year. Murphy explained that thanks to these grants, 187 families in the county were aided by Red Cross of Southwest Pennsylvania. Many other organizations benefited as well including the Washington City Mission, who made great use of the $48,000 United Way grant that they received.

Student Volunteer of the Year Sadie Presto (center) from Trinity High School is pictured with her proud parents, father Joe and mother Jen.

Following are the awards and recipients recognized at the luncheon:

Liza Beale Award (Loyal Contributors) – Pat Maloney, Professor of Art at W&J College, for 40 years of dedicated service to United Way.
Alvin Janovich Community Leadership Award – West Penn Power/First Energy and their company rep David McDonald, for financial support of various organizations including the Arden Trolley Museum, the Monongahela Aquatorium and food banks throughout the county.
M. Kathleen Ramsey Student Volunteer of the Year Award) – Sadie Presto, Senior at Trinity High School, who worked may long hours for United Way organizing fundraisers for various groups including a local literary council.
Clyde Tracanna Volunteer of the Year Award – Sheila Cowieson, who along with her company Community Bank, contributed significantly to the charitable organization’s successful campaigns in the county.
Campaign Champions Award – Nine employees of the Observer-Reporter Publishing Co., who helped raise over $1 million for United Way during their 2016-2017 campaign.
Community Partnership Award – Community Action of Southwest Pennsylvania, whose efforts make significant contributions to the area by helping needy residents in many ways including employment, housing and mental health.
2016-2017 Campaign Award – Ametek Specialty Metals, Eighty Four, recognized for their outstanding United Way contribution campaign.
2016-2017 Chairman’s Award – Range Resources, Cecil, recognized as the top corporate contributor to Washington County United Way for the year, who efforts raised $155,431.
Top 5 Chairman’s Awards for the year also included #2 Columbia Gas ($154,363), #3 Giant Eagle ($74,558), #4 Observer-Reporter ($51,618) and #5 Mylan ($36,661).