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United Way thanks community partners for helping make an impact

United Way of Martin County celebrated this past year’s successes with 200 of its closest supporters, volunteers and community partners on May 12 during the annual Champions of the Community awards dinner.

United Way made quite an impact in Martin County last year by focusing resources on priority needs in areas of education, income and health through programs that provided early learning opportunities for at risk children, free tax preparation for low-to moderate-income families, pre-natal care for infants of uninsured mothers and so much more.

“We have a long history as being a leader in volunteerism and as an unbiased advocate for the community’s needs, but we wouldn’t be able to make such significant impact if not for the support of our community partners,” said Jim Vojcsik, executive director of United Way. “The Champions awards dinner gives us the opportunity to formally recognize this campaign’s major contributors and say, ‘thank you,’ for their continued support.”

This year’s Champions of the Community awards dinner was made possible with the help of Publix Super Markets, Jade Smith of Island Party Rentals, Judy Swan of Swan Photography and Bryan Garner of FPL, the emcee of the evening.

2010-11 Champions of the Community
Campaign Co-Chairs: Ademil Castrillo, Wachovia Bank; Bruce Farren, Mediacom; and Crystal Stiles, Business Development Board of Martin County
Campaign Spirit Award: Martin Memorial Health Systems
United Way Worldwide Summit Award for Volunteer Engagement: Bank of America
Corporate Champion Award: Publix Super Markets
Community Challenge Award: Sailfish Point
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Champion: Debbie Connolly
Surf Community Champions: Jordan and Tara Schwartz, Ohana Surf Shop
Corporate Event Champions: Todd and Brenda Weissing and Lindsey Berman, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Special Event Champions: Paul and Lehr Filipe, Florida Exotic Landscaping; Jennifer Martin, Bodhi Hot Yoga; and Tara Biek, Tara Biek Creative
Agency Spirit Award: Gertrude Walden Childcare Center
CHARACTER COUNTS! Champions: Dianne Pierce, Environmental Studies Center and Nick Blount, Florida Power & Light
Community Impact Award: Jean Strickland, Seacoast National Bank
Martin Volunteers Champion: Polly Campenni, Executive Service Corps of the Treasure Coast
White Doves Holiday Project Champion: Linda Braswell
Youth United: Erin Tufano, Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County
United Way of Martin County Foundation Champion: Leo Clancy
United Way Board Appreciation Award: Stephen Leighton, Congressman Tom Rooney’s Office
Advocacy Champion: Time Kinane, VISTAGE Florida
President’s Award: Amy Chappel, Roegiers, Goldin, Chappel and Nallay