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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 27, 2012 CONTACT: Mary Kinney FOUR CENTRAL INDIANA BUSINESSES ARE WINNERS OF PRESTIGIOUS SPIRIT UNITED AWARD INDIANAPOLIS– March 27, 2012...Four Central Indiana companies whose businesses range from manufacturing, accounting, financial services and health care were honored with United Way of Central Indiana’s Spirit United award presented at the organization’s annual meeting celebration today. Allison Transmission Inc. and UAW Local #933, BKD LLP, CNO Financial Group Inc., and Community Health Network won the award recognizing exemplary and consistent volunteer and financial support for UWCI’s mission: helping people learn more, earn more and lead safe and healthy lives. This is the third year in which the award has been presented. "These companies join the ranks of 12 other iconic partners in helping us to create a community where we can be proud of the quality of life for everyone," said Ellen K. Annala, United Way's president and CEO. Honorees and background on how each achieved the distinction are: Allison Transmission Inc. and UAW Local #933: A company that advances transportation and mobility worldwide, Allison and its skilled workforce similarly advance our community's quality of life through United Way. In giving, Allison has since 2008 ranked among United Way's top regional performers. The past two years, Allison has posted 29 percent growth in new donors due to heightened United Way promotion throughout its facilities. Offering virtually year-round ways for employees to volunteer, Allison representatives can be found giving time and expertise as agency evaluators, developing and doing Day of Caring projects, serving on United Way committees, and in county-level leadership roles/boards for United Way agencies. Throughout its history, Allison has dedicated manpower, resources and money to United Way's mission. BKD LLP: Established in 2001 when Olive, LLP merged with BKD,the CPA and advisory firmuses its technical expertise and customer service skills to help people realize their goals. In the 2011 United Way campaign, that same focus enabled the firm to post breakthrough growth of more than a $30,000, with 85 percent of contributors giving at a leadership level. With 65 percent of its employees giving, BKD staff also give their time, volunteering as agency evaluators, on United Way committees and boards at the county and regional levels and on the Corporate Volunteer Council. CNO Financial Group Inc.: One of Hamilton County's largest employers, CNO designs insurance products around customer needs. Likewise, by setting community needs at the core of its United Way campaign, CNO increased contributions by five percent and participation by three percent in 2011. Since 1995, the company has raised more than $5 million for United Way. For more than a decade, CNO has earned the prestigious Company that Cares award. Through United Christmas Service, CNO has helped almost 400 families in need for the past 12 years .The company has participated in BackPack Attack for 13 consecutive years, and has been a key partner of the American Red Cross since 2003. Community Health Network: With more than 200 sites, Community Health's LIVE UNITED style can be called a "full continuum of caring." Last year, Community set out to better educate and engage associates. Their Day of Caring project at IPS #14 mobilized more than 200 volunteers to spruce up playgrounds, paint a mural and build a shade structure. Inviting partners and vendors to join them, Community generated more than $35,000 in donated goods for the school. They also organized school uniform and supplydrives and encourage volunteering as ReadUP tutors and for agency projects. When Community stationed United Way experts on each campus to answer questions and engage employees in activities, giving grew by 42 percent To be eligible for Spirit United, a company had to have won United Way's Company that Cares award for the past three years, have provided financial support and resources above and beyond a successful workplace campaign, and significant volunteer support for United Way’s mission. Recipients were chosen by a volunteer task force of previous winners. Each Spirit United honoree received a custom-designed award created by Herff Jones, Inc. |
