PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
CONTACT: Tory Gillett
336-721-9319 (office)
Tory.Gillett@uwforsyth.org
SPIRIT OF NORTH CAROLINA AWARD RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED BY UNITED WAY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Winston-Salem, NC ….. February 11, 2016
Each year, the United Way of North Carolina recognizes companies and organizations that have demonstrated strong community support through local United Way involvement. The Spirit of North Carolina Awards celebrate the partnership of people working together to develop and implement innovative solutions for long-term community change.
Businesses, professional and non-profit organizations, governmental entities, healthcare and educational institutions—large and small—are nominated to receive the Spirit of North Carolina Award because they are champions of change. They raise their voice to share the story of their community, volunteer their time and expertise, and invest their resources.
For the third consecutive year, Forsyth County has the highest number of Spirit Award recipients in the state. These include the following organizations and judging categories:
BB&T, Financial/Banking Institutions 1501-2500 Employees
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, Business Campaign 51-100 Employees
Winston-Salem Transit Authority, City/County Municipality 101-200 Employees
First Tennessee Bank, Financial/Banking Institutions up to 50 Employees
Wake Forest University, Higher Education 1501-2500 Employees
Reynolds American, Manufacturing 1501-2500 Employees
HanesBrands, Inc., Retail 2501-5000 Employees
In addition, BB&T was honored with the prestigious 2015 Excellence in Community Spirit Award in special recognition of going the extra mile to affect change in our community. This award recognizes excellence in leveraging their caring power by challenging others to join them in their work and producing remarkable outcomes.
“We are extremely honored to be the recipient of both these awards,” said BB&T Chairman and CEO Kelly S. King. “At BB&T, we take our mission to make the communities we serve better places to be very seriously. Supporting the United Way is one way we demonstrate that commitment. This recognition goes to all our BB&T associates who have found helping our fellow man is immensely gratifying and being able to do so is truly a privilege.”
“We are proud to be allied with all of the Spirit Award winners. They demonstrate outstanding commitment to our community by championing change, volunteer their time and talent, and give generously to make a difference,” says Mark Uren, VP/Resource Development of United Way of Forsyth County.
A team of 21 United Way leaders from across North Carolina judged 58 outstanding applications selecting 33 as winners. The established Seven Standards of Excellence—including volunteer culture, partnership with community to raise awareness of needs and foster a spirit of giving, leadership involvement, and campaign coordination—are the criteria on which applications are judged. Awards were presented to the winning companies during the United Way of North Carolina’s Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 in Pinehurst, North Carolina.