Four central Indiana businesses win prestigious Spirit United award
Four central Indiana businesses win prestigious Spirit United award at United Way of Central Indiana’s annual meeting June 2
Four central Indiana companies were honored today with United Way of Central Indiana’s (UWCI) prestigious Spirit United award at UWCI’s annual meeting celebration.
Gander Mountain Distribution Center, Gene B. Glick Company, Pepsico/Gatorade and Regions Bank won the award that recognizes exemplary volunteer engagement and investments in UWCI. This is the eighth year of the award.
2016 Spirit United award winners
Gander Mountain Distribution Center
Gander Mountain’s vision is service excellence to its associates, customers and to the community. Each year, Gander Mountain employees have set higher financial goals in support of United Way of Central Indiana’s mission and have met those goals through a combination of individual financial pledges as well as unique fundraising events such as corporate garage sales, chili cook-offs, and “penny wars.” Gander Mountain associates also volunteer in force for community service projects such as stuffing backpacks for the BackPack Attack initiative. In its nomination for the Spirit United award, Gander Mountain states, “The act of service and volunteering is a spirit that embodies the very best of Gander Mountain.The goal of our partnership with United Way is to help create a better community, a better Indiana, and a better future.”
Gene B. Glick Company
As is stated in the company’s nomination form, “many of our own employees have been personally helped by United Way services in the past – so we know exactly how vital the mission is!” The Gene B. Glick Company has been honored in the past for its substantial financial support of UWCI, both as an organization and individual contributions from its employees. Glick’s leaders take an active role in spreading the United Way message to employees and encouraging their participation in engaging activities such as bake sales, silent auctions, costume contests, “Minute to Win It” challenges, and “Denim Days,” in which employees can dress casually in exchange for a donation to United Way. Each year, the company and its “army of volunteers” participate in a United Way Day of Caring, where employees have demonstrated their dedication to various community projects.
PepsiCo/Gatorade
The PepsiCo/Gatorade manufacturing facility is the largest distributor of Gatorade in the U.S. with 400 employees at the plant. The company has a 30-year history of strong support for United Way of Central Indiana, as its plant director, Lance Oxley, states, “Giving back to the community in which we work has been a value this team has exhibited since this location was built. We truly believe that what we do with United Way does make a difference.” PepsiCo/Gatorade employees donate generously to United Way through financial support and monthly fundraising events such as bake sales, raffles, and shift team competitions. The company also makes product donations of Gatorade and water when disasters hit, and its employees regularly donate supplies to schools and families in need.
Regions Bank
In its Spirit Award nomination, Regions Bank states, “Our mission drives our desire to improve and make a positive difference in the communities where we work and live.” That difference was evident in the bank’s recent restructure to a statewide Associate Workplace Campaign that collectively engaged nearly 500 associates in one effort. Since 2008, Regions has distributed a monthly “Community Involvement Calendar” to 300 Greater Indy associates to encourage volunteer participation in community projects; provided its associates with one paid day off annually for volunteer service; participated in United Way Loaned Executive and Leadership United programs; and served and supported numerous UWCI agencies.
To be eligible for Spirit United, a company has to be a for-profit company or organization; provide financial resources and human capital aligned with UWCI’s mission and community impact priorities; and be a current Company that Cares award winner.
Spirit Award winners were chosen by a volunteer task force of previous winners.
Previous Spirit United honorees
2015: Delta Faucet Company, RJE business interiors, United Water Indianapolis
2014: August Mack Environmental, Covance Greenfield, Faegre Baker Daniels and Dow AgroSciences
2013: Duke Realty, Ice Miller, Indianapolis Power & Light Company and Roche Diagnostics
2012: Allison Transmission Inc. and UAW Local #933, BKD LLP, CNO Financial Group Inc. and Community Health Network
2011: Barnes & Thornburg LLP, LDI, Ltd, LLC, OneAmerica and St. Vincent Health
2010: Herff Jones Inc., ProLiance Energy LLC, State Bank of Lizton and UPS
2009: Citizens Energy Group, Eli Lilly and Company, RJE business interiors and Walker
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United Way of Central Indiana helps people learn more, earn more and lead safe and healthy lives. United Way drives improvement by mobilizing people and community partners in six Central Indiana counties to identify, advance and advocate for the best solutions. LIVE UNITED is a call to action for everyone to be part of the change. Visit uwci.org to learn more.
CONTACT: Jessica Di Santo, Director of Communications
317-921-1224 (office)
317-292-5608 (cell)