MUSCATINE, Iowa–Throughout the year, volunteers and donors make it possible for United Way of Muscatine to positively impact the lives of people throughout Muscatine County. From helping nonprofits and older adults maintain their properties during the Day of Caring and Student Days of Caring, to providing school supplies at the start of each school year, to meeting children’s ongoing needs through the Kids Frist Fund, United Way assists the community in many ways. To thank the volunteers and donors who fuel their work, United Way has created several new awards and will celebrate the recipients, along with all volunteers and donors, at their first ever Live United Celebration Luncheon Feb. 22.
Hillary Henke, community engagement manager for United Way of Muscatine, explained that while United Way had worked to find ways to honor volunteers and donors, the Live United Celebration Luncheon will provide an opportunity to lift everyone up at the same time and give them more recognition for the beneficial work they do. “We’ve celebrated volunteers and donors separately in the past and decided to have one big celebratory event complete with awards this year to recognize all of the great things happening in Muscatine County.”
At the inaugural luncheon, United Way will present three types of awards. The Hand-Raiser Awards will honor the volunteer with the most hours logged in the previous year, the organization with the largest percentage of employees who volunteer, and the organization that logged the most volunteer hours. The Game-Changer Award will highlight the companies that hold the most engaging United Way campaigns in their offices. The Spirit of Giving Award will honor students, individuals, and companies that have had some of the biggest impacts on the community, either through their volunteer efforts or donations.
With this year’s awards announced, Henke encourages everyone to nominate the people and businesses they saw make a difference in the last year. “We have so many amazing people and organizations in our community who make a difference through volunteering and charitable giving,” Henke observed. “This is your chance to recognize your neighbor, family member, workplace, friend, or colleague who exemplifies the Live United mantra.”
United Way has nomination forms available for both student and adult volunteers as well as businesses available online. Anyone who would like to make a nomination or nominations may do so any time before the end of the day Jan. 27.
Because the work that volunteers and donors do benefits the entire community, Henke invites anyone who would like to come to the Live United Volunteer Luncheon to RSVP by Feb. 8 either by emailing her or calling her at 563-279-4237. Anyone may attend for free. “We owe a huge thanks to MidWest One Bank for sponsoring this event and making it possible for us to do this,” Henke shared.
In roles of all sorts, big and small, volunteers and donors make many important things happen in Muscatine County that would prove difficult otherwise. Henke hopes many will come out and celebrate United Way’s volunteers and donors together in person: “Many of our non-profit organizations in Muscatine County literally couldn’t operate without volunteers. They are the glue that holds our community together. Often it’s these groups of volunteers who are identifying needs in our community and working together and with non-profit organizations like United Way to address those needs. I wish we could celebrate them every day!”
