MEMPHIS, MAY 5, 2009
United Way of the Mid-South was honored with the Community Champion Award during the Leadership Memphis celebration dinner at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis.
The award was presented by Rob Varner from Medtronic. Varner is a volunteer member of the United Way of the Mid-South Board of Directors, and also volunteers with Leadership Memphis.
The award was accepted on behalf of the organization's board, staff and volunteers by Harry Shaw, President of United Way of the Mid-South.
Shaw thanked the audience and said he and the organization were honored to receive the award. Shaw spoke about the strength the local UW organization has because of local volunteer leaders responding to Mid-South issues.
"Our decisions about what to do to improve education, income and health are made by local board members and local volunteer leaders, people just like you who live right here in the Mid-South. That independence and local strength gives United Way the ability to focus on our critical local issues like infant mortality, preventing foreclosures on homes and improving the income of families."
Shaw cited specific examples of how United Way's partnerships and work in these areas has created measureable positive results for our community.
"Being recognized by Leadership Memphis with this Community Champion award is another validation that our United Way network of care creates measurable results and improves the lives of Mid-Southerners. Just like everyone in this room tonight, at United Way, we want to make sure we see improvements that building a better Memphis and Mid-South community," Shaw said.
Shaw informed the audience that many United Way staff serve our community in multiple roles.
"Some of our staff work with boards of other nonprofits in the area outside the UW network in their free time. Others serve with environmental groups and still others with local houses of faith. All of us are united in the idea of working together to improve the common good for our city," Shaw said.
Shaw extended appreciation to David Williams, the President and CEO of Leadership Memphis; his staff, and his board of directors for all they do for the city of Memphis.
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