United Way of Central Indiana holds Annual Celebration on the big screen with Unite at the Drive-In

INDIANAPOLIS — Yesterday, United Way of Central Indiana held its annual celebration at the Tibbs Drive-In with, ‘Unite at the Drive-In.’

The event covered community engagement results with a special awards recognition in ‘movie preview’ fashion, including shared stories of impact across its service area, followed by the showing of the film, Goonies

This year, United Way also celebrated Bryan Mills’, President & CEO of Community Health Network’s, contributions to the organization after two years of service as board chair and welcomed President and CEO of Old National Bank, Rafael Sanchez, as his successor effective July 1, 2020. 

“It fills me with great joy knowing that after my service as chair and working alongside some tremendous philanthropic and business leaders that I can pass the gavel onto Rafael with great confidence,” said Mills. “Rafael has the passion, experience, and knowledge of the Central Indiana region to continue expanding United Way’s leadership in the community as it lifts more people out of poverty and onto a path of hope, success, and stability.” 

Highlights of the event included:

  1. Stories of impact capturing the lives of those served by United Way’s Basic Needs, Family Opportunity, and Social Innovation Funds thanks to the work and ongoing dedication of 89 community partners to date.

  2. How the Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund (C-CERF), as a result of the sprint effort of United Way and its founding partners Lilly Endowment Inc., Central Indiana Community Foundation (through the Glick Fund and The Indianapolis Foundation), Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation and United Way of Central Indiana responded with more than a $21 million dollar investment in 186 organizations across our region that provided food, shelter, and essential supplies and programming to our most vulnerable Hoosiers due to the effects of COVID-19.

  3. A commitment to the education and empowerment of our community to address racial injustices affecting members of our community through Understanding the Roots of Racism, a four-part series created to generate awareness on the disparities that lie in communities of color in the areas of health, food insecurity, housing and transportation – all the areas of United Way’s Basic Needs initiative.

 “This year presented us with both a health and economic emergency that required us not just to act, but act with urgent intent,” said Ann Murtlow, president and CEO of United Way. “Even in our most adverse moments, whether it was expanding the scope of our impact initiatives, responding to COVID-19, or accelerating how we address racial disparities as it relates to our work, we quickly rose to the occasion and kept our community’s most vulnerable at the forefront of our decision making.”

 Individual and Company Awards

United Way recognized individuals, volunteers and companies that made a significant impact on the community. Four companies earned the top prize – the Spirit United award – for exceptional volunteer and financial support of United Way. Spirit United is the most prestigious company award. It celebrates companies that have consistently supported and generously donated to United Way of Central Indiana. A Spirit United award winner knows it takes giving, advocating, and volunteering to receive this prestigious honor.

The 2020 Spirit United Award Winners include: GEICO, MSD of Lawrence Township, Shiel Sexton Company, Inc. and Telamon Corporation. Impact awards were given to companies for volunteer efforts tied to United Way priorities.

The following companies were recognized: Corteva Agriscience, Crowe, Gene B. Glick Company, Inc. and Roche Diagnostics. 

The Exceptional Employee Coordinator award went to Sarah King, Deloitte and Michael Dilts, Shiel Sexton Company, Inc. earned the Exceptional Executive award. 

United Way also recognized these top 17 companies as leading investors:

Allison Transmission, Inc., and UAW Local #933

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Indiana

Citizens Energy Group

Community Health Network

Corteva Agriscience

Cummins, Inc.

Eli Lilly and Company

Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath

Fischer Homes

GEICO

Gene B. Glick Company, Inc.

Indianapolis Power & Light Company

Lilly Endowment Inc.

OneAmerica

Ruth Lilly Philanthropic Foundation

UPS 

Board Election

United Way of Central Indiana elected the following officers at its annual meeting: Rafael Sanchez, Chair; Claire J. Fiddian-Green, Secretary; Scott Bruns, Treasurer. 

New Class of 2023 board member elected was: Jimmie L. McMillian, Penske Entertainment Corporation 

Executive Committee at-large members elected were: Mary Boelke, Deloitte LLP; Tory Callaghan Castor, Indiana University Health; Marianne Glick, GlickArt.com; Jeffrey A. Harrison, Citizens Energy Group; Stephanie C. Kim, Telamon Corporation; Scott S. Luc, Cate Brunton Luc Group | Merrill Lynch; Michael O’Connor, Eli Lilly and Company; Samuel L. Odle, FACHE, Bose McKinney & Evans LLP; Julie Singer, Raymond James & Associates, Inc.; and Connie Bond Stuart, PNC. 

New Director by appointment was: Ninad Thanawala, Roche Diagnostics 

Directors continuing their service with United Way are: Jeb Banner, Boardable; Michael R. Becher, Retired - Deloitte LLP; Scott Beier, Cummins, Inc.; Mary Boelke, Deloitte LLP; Scott Bruns, Ernst & Young LLP; Tory Callaghan Castor, Indiana University Health; Matthew A. Cohoat, Becknell Industrial; Rodney D. Cotton, Roche Diagnostics; Deborah J. Daniels, Krieg DeVault LLP; Michael T. Dilts, Shiel Sexton Company, Inc.; Claudette Einhorn; Claire J. Fiddian-Green, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Inc.; Andre Franklin; Covance Central Laboratories; Geoffrey M. Gailey, Miller Pipeline Corporation; Brian R. Garrison, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP; Joe Gilbert, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Indiana; Natalie Y. Guzman, Fifth Third Bank; Lisa E. Harris, M.D., Eskenazi Health; Jeffrey A. Harrison, Citizens Energy Group; Richard E. Hester, Indiana Business Advisors; Abbe Hohmann, CCIM, Site Strategies Advisory, LLC; Kalen Jackson, Indianapolis Colts; Kelley A. Karn, Duke Energy; Stephanie C. Kim, Telamon Corporation; Mark A. Lemieux, Citizens Bank; Nicole Lorch, First Internet Bank of Indiana; Scott S. Luc, Cate Brunton Luc Group | Merrill Lynch; James M. Macdonald, III, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.; John C. Mason, OneAmerica; Ann M. Merkel, The National Bank of Indianapolis; Bryan A. Mills, Community Health Network; Ann D. Murtlow, United Way of Central Indiana; Michael North, Katz, Sapper & Miller, LLP; Johna Norton, Eli Lilly and Company; Michael O’Connor, Eli Lilly and Company; Samuel L. Odle, FACHE, Bose McKinney & Evans LLP; Darrin L. Orr, Master Enterprises; Gregory L. Pemberton, Retired - Ice Miller LLP; Lauren Petersen, TechPoint; Mamon Powers, III, Powers & Sons Construction, Inc.; Mark A. Ratekin, Confirmit; Georgiana Reynal, St. Vincent Foundation, Inc.; Tobin P. Richer, KAR Auction Services; Christopher B. Rigsbee, CNO Financial Group, Inc.; N. Clay Robbins, Lilly Endowment Inc.; Rafael Sanchez, Old National Bank; Julie Singer, Raymond James & Associates, Inc.; Dennis Sponsel, RJE business interiors; Connie Bond Stuart, PNC; Patzetta M. Trice, Trice Strategic Consulting; Susanne Wasson, Corteva Agriscience; Heather Willey, Barnes & Thornburg LLP; Jean L. Wojtowicz, Cambridge Capital Management Corp.; and Terence T. Yen, Ph.D., Retired – Eli Lilly and Company. 

Director Emeritus Continuing Their Service with United Way are: R. James Alerding, Alerding Consulting, LLC; Kathryn G. Betley; Vincent C. Caponi, Retired - Ascension Health; Karen Gentleman, Gentleman McCarty; Marianne Glick, GlickArt.com; Donald E. Knebel, Barnes & Thornburg LLP; Owen B. (Bud) Melton, Retired - First Indiana Bank, N.A.; Jamie Merisotis, Lumina Foundation; Andy Mohr, Andy Mohr Automotive; John T. Neighbours, Retired - Faegre Baker Daniels LLP; David Resnick, Katz, Sapper & Miller, LLP; Dr. Dennis Sasso, Congregation Beth-El Zedeck; Zachary Scott, Retired – UPS; Jerry D. Semler, Retired – OneAmerica; Maribeth Smith, Maribeth Smith & Associates, Inc.; and Donald W. Tanselle, Sease, Gerig & Associates; Steve Walker, Walker. 

A complete version of United Way’s Community Impact Report for 2019-2020 can be found on the United Way website. More information about United Way’s work, including Impact Funds, can be found by visiting www.uwci.org.

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 About United Way of Central Indiana: United Way is a community of donors, advocates, volunteers, and partners who fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community. United Way invites all members of our community to LIVE UNITED by giving, advocating and volunteering to improve lives in Central Indiana. Visit www.uwci.org to learn more. 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jennifer Hashem | Public Relations Manager, United Way of Central Indiana

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United Way awards more than $1.7 million to organizations in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks and Morgan counties to help meet needs affected by pandemic

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United Way of Central Indiana's 2019 - 2020 Annual Report