United Way of Greenville County celebrated and recognized the generosity and impact of its donors, partners and volunteers during Thursday’s virtual 2022 Stronger United Awards Celebration. 

United Way Campaign Chair Cal Hurst of Southern First Bank hosted the event, which highlighted the community’s philanthropic support of United Way as the organization worked to meet the needs of its neighbors in 2021.

Among those recognized during the event were the partners, donors, corporations, activists and volunteers who make United Way’s work possible. Thanks to the collective support of the community in 2021, United Way invested more than $12 million in Greenville County through grants, direct services, and strategic programs that serve the community every day. This includes $4 million in critical funding to 70 local programs, which last year served more than 35,000 people.

“At United Way, 2021 was the year of ‘U’,” said Meghan Barp, president and CEO of United Way of Greenville County. “We continued to help our community rebound from the pandemic and build a more equitable future. To all the people, companies and organizations who stepped up to support United Way this year, we thank you for your commitment to making Greenville County a better place for us all.”

Among the awards presented Thursday was the United Way Spirit Award, the organization’s highest honor for community service and leadership. This year’s recipient was Judge Merl Code, whose longtime community and organizational leadership has helped shape Greenville County into what it is today. Code was United Way’s first African American board chair, the founding chair of United Way’s African American Leadership Greenville (AALG) in 1999, and currently serves as co-chair of the Greenville Racial Equity and Economic Mobility (REEM) Commission.

United Way also celebrated the generosity of companies and organizations participating in its annual workplace campaign.

“This year, nearly 20,000 people in Greenville County made the decision to donate to United Way to create a better community for all of us,” said Hurst. “On behalf of those individuals and families who will have their lives changed by your generosity, thank you.”

Michelin North America, Inc., turned in the largest workplace campaign in 2021, followed by Prisma Health, Greenville County Schools, Publix Super Markets, GE, ITW Hartness, Fluor Corporation Greenville, TD Bank, Mitsubishi Polyester Film, Inc., and Canal Insurance Company.

Other honorees included:

• The Campaign Award of Excellence to 191 companies.
• The Chairman’s Award to 37 companies.
• The Campaign Award of Advancement to 55 companies for achieving a 25 percent increase in dollars raised and participation
• The Premier Award to 16 organizations for running their first United Way campaign
• The Most Creative Event Award to Fluor Corporation Greenville
• The Outstanding Campaign Coordinator Award to Niki Driver with Sealed Air – Simpsonville
• The Most Engaged Corporate Leader Award to Anderson Garcia with GE
• The Above and Beyond New Campaign Award to Ingram Micro
• The Above and Beyond Corporate Campaign Award to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, C. Dan Joyner REALTORS
• The Rising Star Engagement Award to Proterra
• The All-Star Engagement Award to Michelin North America, Inc.

Watch the full awards show below: