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News & Press Releases Recent News Releases
Four Central Indiana businesses are winners of prestigious Spirit United award
Honorees demonstrate ‘exemplary commitment’ to volunteer and financial support of United Way’s mission and priorities INDIANAPOLIS …March 25, 2010 – Four Central Indiana companies whose businesses range from supplying energy, to banking, package delivery and helping people celebrate life’s milestones were honored with United Way of Central Indiana’s (UWCI) new Spirit United award presented at the organization’s annual meeting celebration today. Herff Jones Inc., ProLiance Energy LLC, The State Bank of LIzton and UPS won the award recognizing exemplary and consistent volunteer and financial support for UWCI’s mission and community priorities: vital human services and Ready to Learn, Ready to Earn. This is the second year in which the award has been presented. These companies commit to and fulfill “Olympic-sized efforts when it comes to giving their time, their expertise and their resources,” said Ellen K. Annala, UWCI’s president and CEO. “They embrace both the importance of helping people in times of crisis while also working to reduce such needs in the future.” Honorees and background on how each achieved the distinction among United Way’s supporters are: Herff Jones Inc. – A company that’s known for building and preserving traditions, Herff Jones and its employees have themselves built a tradition of giving and volunteering through United Way. In campaign giving, the company was last year recognized for five consecutive years of Breakthrough giving that produced 30 percent or $30,000 or better growth, more than doubling employee participation. Employees volunteer as agency evaluators, tax preparers, and in high profile leadership positions on the board and on the campaign. The company also provides loaned executives to help other companies raise money during the campaign and sponsors numerous United Way events throughout the year. ProLiance Energy LLC — One of the largest natural gas marketers, ProLiance Energy and its employees have, since 2002, produced a remarkable 100 percent participation in United Way’s annual campaign. As volunteers, ProLiance associates are in the schools as ReadUP tutors, on teams conducting agency evaluations, sorting BackPack Attack school supplies and serving in leadership roles on United Way’s board. Using their marketing expertise, ProLiance has also developed creative and successful ways to attract other supporters for programs like the Agency Utility Assistance Fund. The State Bank of Lizton – Banking where someone knows your name and understands your needs is a claim that The State Bank of Lizton is proud of. That connection to community can also account for the bank’s strong involvement on United Way’s Boone and Hendricks County boards and committees. Bank associates have chaired the Boone County campaign for the past two years and provided sponsorships in Hendricks County for the successful Wings of Golf and the Breakfast of Champions/Celebration Event. The bank has also earned distinguished regional United Way awards for creative CEO involvement for increased corporate giving along with numerous county level awards. Each year they coordinate a BackPack attack drive at their branches to collect school supplies. UPS – The world’s largest package delivery company, UPS also delivers when it comes to community involvement. They have won United Way’s A Company that Cares Award for 15 consecutive years. UPS employees volunteer for Day of Caring, the campaign cabinet, ReadUP, agency evaluations and on United Way’s board. Bob Severson has led the Success by 6 early learning program since it’s inception in 2004. The company also provides a loaned executive to help with fundraising each year. UPS has been honored as a Top 12 funder for UWCI for the past three years. UPS employees routinely participate in BackPack Attack, United Christmas Service and the Diversity Volunteer Recognition Breakfast. To be eligible for Spirit United, a company had to have won the Company that Cares award for the past three years, have provided financial support and resources above and beyond a successful workplace campaign and significant volunteer support demonstrating commitment to United Way’s vital human services and education priority, Ready to Learn, Ready to Earn. Recipients were chosen by a volunteer task force from among United Way’s for-profit supporters. Each Spirit United honoree received a custom-designed award created by Herff Jones, Inc. The four companies also will receive advertising exposure in the Indianapolis Business Journal and The Indianapolis Star, courtesy of Eli Lilly and Company, along with year-round exposure on United Way’s Web site, in print and electronic publications and in United Way’s headquarters. For more information about participating with United Way of Central Indiana to address today’s needs and reduce tomorrow’s, visit uwci.org or call 317.923.1466. United Way of Central Indiana
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 25, 2010
