United Way Celebrates Workplace Campaign
For a second year in a row, United Way celebrated the companies that went above and beyond in supporting the community through a workplace campaign.
In addition to presenting several workplace campaign awards, including a new individual “Hand-Raiser” honor, throughout the hour-long Zoom broadcast on July 8, United Way also announced the final total for the campaign year that officially ended June 30: $1,853,910.23.
The online event was shared live on Facebook and emceed by WIBW news anchor Melissa Brunner. The combination live and recorded program featured profiles of companies receiving awards as well as a special profile of the pandemic collaboration called Operation Food Secure, which flourished in large part because of a weekly COVID response call facilitated by UWGT.
“This could have been a disastrous year for our community and our workplace campaigns” United Way CEO Jessica Lehnherr said. “So many employees were working from home, and that made traditional workplace campaigns nearly impossible. But so many of them understood that donating meant even more this year for our neighbors who never expected to need help.”
Campaign Chair John Fager has completed his second year in the position said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve the community in such a challenging time. UWGT Vice President of Resource Development
Angel Romero said that everyone at United Way was grateful for John’s flexibility when no one really knew what leading the workplace campaign would look like in a pandemic. “We couldn’t be more thankful that John was willing to step up a second time to be the voice of United Way throughout the community. He’s earned his ‘retirement’ as Campaign Chair.”
UWGT expects to announce the 2021-22 Campaign Chair in the coming weeks.
UWGT staff returned to their offices on Fairlawn Road this week after more than a year of mostly remote work. They are already preparing for the 2021-22 workplace campaign season with hopes for at least some in-person opportunities this year.
“Normal might not to be the word this year,” Romero said. “But we’ve got the tools in place to give companies a great experience whether it’s completely virtual, hybrid or completely in-person. We learned a lot last year about flexibility. Running a United Way campaign is a great way to bring staff together for a common goal that benefits the community where they work and live. And everybody needs something to feel hopeful about these days.”
UWGT Director of Workplace Campaigns Marty Hillard was particularly pleased to see the addition of a new award honoring Campaign Coordinators, those employees who go the extra mile inside their company to create and manage an engaging and successful workplace campaign. Because he works closely with the coordinators, he knows just how seriously they take their volunteer duties.
“Coordinators like today’s honorees Marie Carter and Tonya Barta bring a campaign to life, whether it’s in a small bank or an enormous school district. They believe in what United Way can do in the community and they make others believe it too. Without their passion and creativity, workplace campaign is just a form to fill out,” Hillard said.
The recording of the Campaign Celebration is available on UWGT’s Facebook page at: https://fb.watch/v/1Y2paxNDy/, and the program for the event with the award nominations is online at https://unitedwaytopeka.org/celebrateunited/.
Campaign Award Winners
"You did WHAT?!" Award
(Unique Special Event)
Farmer’s State Bank (Holton)
Momentum Award
(Increase in total raised and/or participation)
Hill’s Pet Nutrition
Anything But COVID (ABC) Award
(Outstanding COVID Adaptation)
Security Benefit
Hand-Raiser Award
(Outstanding Campaign Coordinator)
Small Business:
Tonya Barta, Farmer’s State BankLarge Business:
Marie Carter, Topeka Public Schools
People’s Choice Award
The People’s Choice Award was created to recognize a company whose leaders provides extraordinary support for their workplace campaign. It is no coincidence that our most successful and engaging workplace campaigns have buy-in and support from their CEO and leadership teams. This award recognizes that high level of commitment.
Capitol Federal
