Envelopes, please… drum roll… it’s time to shine the spotlight on some stars of the 2020 Community Campaign!
When our community faced unprecedented need and uncertainty in the past year, hundreds of organizations across the Quad Cities stepped up. At United Way Quad Cities, we are so grateful to our area’s largest corporations, smallest stores, unions, individual donors and everyone who ran workplace campaigns and organized volunteer projects to meet the needs of our entire region.
We recently kicked off a Week of Gratitude to thank the generous partners and leaders who went above and beyond for our 2020 Community Campaign:
Brand Ambassador of the Year
Let’s hear it for John Sprague, Marketing Manager of Bitco — our Brand Ambassador of the Year — for his great work raising awareness and raising funds through Bitco’s workplace campaign. Sprague’s leadership and innovative spirit shined through in 2020, even while his teammates worked from home. He was determined to see Bitco make the largest positive impact on the community possible through workplace giving.
Workplace Innovators of the Year
At United Way Quad Cities, we work alongside many passionate and talented leaders in workplace giving. Sometimes, we get extra lucky and connect with a team FULL of these individuals, which was the case MidAmerican Energy Company. The team motivated their coworkers through creative and COVID-safe events, like a donut drive and socially distanced walk event, and tapped into the generosity of the organization’s volunteers. Way to raise the bar, MidAmerican team!
Industry Leaders of the Year
During our Week of Gratitude, we commended all 13 financial industry partners who put aside competition during a moment of great need and collectively invested in our United for Equity Fund to address inequities and issues impacting minority Quad Citizens: Ascentra Credit Union, Bank of America, BankORION, Blackhawk Bank & Trust, Blue Grass Savings Bank, Deere Employees Credit Union, IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union, Northwest Bank & Trust, Quad City Bank & Trust, R.I.A. Federal Credit Union, SENB Bank, TBK Bank and The Family Credit Union.
Overachiever of the Year
It’s not uncommon to see workers go above and beyond in the workplace — and we’re particularly proud whenever we see it happen for a great cause. Today, we’re sending a heartfelt shout out to our Overachiever of the Year, PCT Ebeam and Integration! This company punched above their weight in workplace giving, and set an example for the impact of increased giving when so many need help.
Spirit of the Quad Cities
Deloitte is deserving of our “Spirit of the Quad Cities” recognition for taking their generosity to a whole new level. We want to share our appreciation for the team who gave through their employer AND did additional fundraising for our COVID-19 response. Deloitte employees have led by example, volunteering for various United Way panels and committees.
Gamechanger of the Year
Thank you, Quad City Times, the Dispatch-Argus and Lee Enterprises for demonstrating what it takes to be our Gamechanger of the Year, through corporate giving, employee contributions, in-kind services AND volunteerism. From production services to event collaborations, this partnership has allowed United Way Quad Cities to connect service providers with Quad Citizens like never before.
Labor Leaders of the Year
Sometimes the gift of time and labor can change a life — something our 2020 Community Campaign Labor Leaders know well. Our appreciation to our leaders at Carpenters Union Local 4, with special thanks to Brent Ganahl, Rodger Richardson and Jay Bemrich. These union members heeded the call for help from our community during the pandemic and helped a Rock Island teen get some of her independence back.
Partner of the Year
Over the past 12 months, so many organizations and individuals raised the bar when it came to taking care of their neighbors in need. At the top of this list is John Deere, who gave the largest collective gift, comprising corporate, retiree and employee campaign donations, in the United Way Quad Cities 2020 Community Campaign. (Special thanks to the strong union support from IAMAW Lodge 1191, UAW Local 281, UAW Local 434, UAW Local 79 and UAW Local 865!)
And now, we turn an eye to the future.
To close out our Week of Gratitude, we also want to take this moment to state our appreciation for the leaders who will strengthen education, income and health throughout the Quad Cities in the year to come! We have the chance to make the Quad Cities a place where EVERYONE, regardless of race or ZIP code, has the opportunity and access to achieve their full potential.
Access our campaign toolkit and to learn how your company can get involved!
Read more about our 2020 Community Campaign honorees on our Facebook. Brand Ambassador of the Year | Workplace Innovators of the Year | Industry Leaders of the Year | Overachiever of the Year | Spirit of the Quad Cities | Gamechanger of the Year | Labor Leaders | Partner of the Year
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