At its annual campaign kickoff event Oct 6 at the Barre Opera House, Green Mountain United Way honored nine individuals, businesses and organizations for their contributions to GMUW and the communities they serve.
The top award of the evening — the Five Star Partner Award — was presented to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, which was represented by board chair and human resources director Margaret Pinello-White and board member Ruth Greene.
Other awards and awardees were:
- Wanda Baril Award — Carol Ellison, board member and volunteer, Green Mountain United Way.
- Coffee Bean Award — Liz Scharf, Capstone Community Action.
- Collaborative Innovation Award — NorthCountry Federal Credit Union and the Washington County Youth Service Bureau.
- Community Volunteer Champion — Joan Verchereau, First Congregational Church of Berlin.
- Maple Syrup Award — Joan Kahn, Farmers To You.
- Working Bridges Golden Bridge Award — Human resources team, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital.
- Working Communities Champion for Change — Central Vermont Medical Center.
- Workplace Campaign Award — Northfield Savings Bank and Hickok & Boardman.
“All of these businesses, people, and organizations have worked tirelessly with us at Green Mountain United Way and throughout the community to find ways to lift those of us who are less fortunate,” said GMUW Executive Director Tawnya Kristen. “Creating a safety net of services and help for our community begins with partnerships, and we are surrounded by amazing people in this community doing wonderful things. We are so grateful to them, and we are eager to keep working toward our mission to fight for the health, education and financial stability of everyone in the five Vermont counties we serve.”