Local
donors contributed more than $3.1 million to address community needs through
United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties’ 2018 campaign.
This
campaign marked the organization’s 60th anniversary.
United
Way revealed the campaign total at its annual Live United Awards Ceremony on
April 23. The fundraising year ran from April 1, 2018, to March 31, 2019.
Money
raised goes toward focusing on the community’s areas of greatest need,
including education, health, financial stability and basic needs.
Several
local businesses received honors during the ceremony.
Leidos
was named Initiative Partner of the Year; Cascade Natural Gas Corp., Small
Business Partner of the Year; and Washington River Protection Solutions,
Corporate Partner of the Year.
The Kennewick School District received an award as the organization
with the largest increase in campaign participation, and RBC Wealth Management received an award for having the largest number of employees giving per capita.
Twenty
businesses also were recognized as the Top 20 Most Generous Workplaces for
their commitment to giving back to our community.
Dan
Richey of Framatome and United Way’s board chairman, was named Distinguished
Volunteer of the Year. This award recognizes an individual for extended
and exemplary support of the agency’s mission. Richey has provided more
than 300 hours of volunteer support to United Way.
Board
member Staci West of Bechtel National Inc. was named Community Impact Leader, a
new award to honor her leadership in creating the inaugural Festival of Trees
event that raised nearly $80,000 for local hunger and homelessness.
The annual event was sponsored by Plumbers &
Steamfitters Local Union 598, Abadan Printing and the Three Rivers Convention
Center.