Around the Town: Annual awards presented by United Way

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From left, Sean Heaberlin, Terrence Thomas, and Jo Ramlow at the United Way Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner. <br> <img src=http://www.toledoblade.com/graphics/icons/photo.gif> <font color=red><b>VIEW</font color=red></b>: <a href="/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=TO&Dato=20100224&Kategori=ART03&Lopenr=224009998&Ref=PH" target="_blank "><b> ATT: Awards presented by United Way photo gallery</b></a> Feb. 24, 2010

Community movers and shakers packed the place during the 92nd United Way Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner “How We Live United” at the Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons. It was definitely a who's-who crowd of about 325 with the likes of Elizabeth and Richard Ruppert, Sara Jane DeHoff, Keith Burwell, Bill Foster, Elaine Canning, Bob LaClair, Paul Rickman, and Larry Weiss, and Bill Kitson, the executive director.

Community leaders and volunteers gave testimonials. Crystal Tyo-Mathias of the Junior League of Toledo said “giving, advocating, and volunteering isn't just what I do as an individual. It's who I am,” ending with the hope that it will create a chain reaction for others to give. She is the chairman of United Way's community building event, “March Madness,” slated for March 18 at the Lucas County Arena.

Trent Smith of Toledo Edison, chairman of the United Way board, called the meeting to order. Mr. Smith said with the country's economic crisis, it has been a tough year, which is even more reason to maintain a collaborative spirit. “At the end of the day, United Way's mission is to mobilize the caring power of our community.”

Richard Hylant of the Hylant Group and the 2009 campaign chairman, was thanked for leading the group to net $13,105,025. The 2010 campaign chairman is Sharon Speyer of Huntington Bank.

More than 1,000 area companies and organizations participated in the campaign, which represent 46 percent of the total funds raised. The Pinnacle Award was presented to companies that raised in excess of $500,000. Those included The Andersons, The Andersons Fund for Supporting Organizations, and The Andersons, Inc.; O-I and O-I Retirees; and Owens Corning and the Owens Corning Foundation.

This year's Spirit of Caring Awards were presented to United Parcel Service, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, and the Learning Club, an after-school tutoring program that helps kids improve reading and math skills.

For more photos of the event go to toledoblade.com.

Contact Barbara Hendel at: bhendel@theblade.com or 419-724-6124.