IMPACT MATTERS

Recognizing the Spirit of Philanthropy

United Way of Salt Lake is proud to honor individuals and organizations that make a meaningful difference in our community. Today’s recipients demonstrate how they work to advance the common good every day. Through their commitment, generosity, and creativity, a tremendous impact throughout our community is being achieved.

The recipients of the 2008 Celebration of Service awards are committed to the mission of United Way of Salt Lake and embody the spirit of philanthropy. These individuals and organizations multiply the impact that United Way is able to have on our community and are dedicated to building a better life for all of us.

Outstanding Partner for Community Change

This award recognizes an exceptional individual, organization or foundation that has increased the impact United Way of Salt Lake has on our community through their investment of time, resources, staff, financial investment, programs and other investments.

Last year, Brent Williams, President and CEO of Dental Select, was searching for a meaningful way to give back to the community. His hope was to address the effects of poor oral health—the number one health issue facing Utah children—by increasing their access to preventive dental care. His search led him to an existing strategic initiative led by United Way of Salt Lake, Sealants for Smiles. This initiative provides dental health screening and dental sealants to at-risk children.

After learning about the vision for this effort, Brent, along with his management team, were confident in their ability to take the existing program to even greater heights. United Way of Salt Lake officially passed the baton to Dental Select on July 1, 2007. Sealants for Smiles was placed in capable hands. With its broad circle of influence in the dental field as the largest provider of dental benefits in Utah, Dental Select has leveraged its resources to rapidly expand the program’s critical services.

In just six months, the services delivered by Sealants for Smiles rose by over 300%. By June 30, 2008, it is projected all 2nd and 6th grade students in each of the 55 Title I elementary schools in United Way of Salt Lake’s service area will receive oral health screening, dental sealants, and oral health education. Dental Select’s remarkable contribution to the community through its commitment to Sealants for Smiles will dramatically improve the lives of thousands of children and their families. United Way of Salt Lake offers its heartiest congratulations to Dental Select, the 2008 Outstanding Partner for Community Change.

Outstanding Volunteer of the Year

The Outstanding Volunteer of the Year is an enthusiastic individual who shows commitment to our community and United Way of Salt Lake’s mission through extraordinary volunteer service.

Becky Potts, President of Morris Murdock Travel, demonstrates outstanding commitment to our community. Becky has served as a member of United Way of Salt Lake’s Board of Directors in many capacities for the past six years. Perhaps most meaningful is her driving force behind the Women’s Philanthropic Network (WPN). Since fall 2006, Becky’s leadership, inspiration, and enthusiasm as the first chair of the WPN have propelled the group to success.

By the end of her two year term, Becky had helped build a membership of nearly 100 women. During that time, the WPN raised over $300,000. Almost half of the funds generated were from new contributors to United Way of Salt Lake. This allowed for the WPN and United Way of Salt Lake to reach out to and educate even more individuals about the power of philanthropy.

Becky’s great passion and trailblazing efforts can still be seen in the WPN. She provided the vision, leadership and energy necessary for success. Today, the WPN is a growing and thriving organization. United Way of Salt Lake is proud to honor Becky Potts as the 2008 Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.

Corporate Partner of the Year

Some organizations seem to stand out in the community. Not only do they provide great products or services, they are also actively involved in making our area a better place to live. This award is United Way of Salt Lake’s highest tribute to an organization that demonstrates strong community involvement through its support of United Way.

Mark Miller Dealerships and The Mark and Kathie Miller Foundation demonstrate outstanding support and commitment to United Way of Salt Lake and its work to strengthen our community. Led by Mark and Kathie Miller, their thoughtful spirit of caring and compassion is woven throughout every effort on our behalf to further advance the common good.

Beginning with a commitment to ensure that every employee at Mark Miller Dealerships understands how they can personally impact the tough issues facing our community, each workplace campaign focuses on education. With 93% participation, the dealerships have shown just how successful a first-hand understanding can be in creating a business environment where employees can join together in making a meaningful difference.

Additionally, the Mark and Kathie Miller Foundation announced a $1,000,000 investment in United Way of Salt Lake’s Community Learning Centers initiative, providing nearly half the funds needed to ensure the success of its five-year pilot phase. This generous support makes certain that Community Learning Centers bring community resources into schools that not only strengthen the child, but also the entire family, to ensure that all children learn at their best. United Way of Salt Lake is pleased to present Mark and Kathie Miller with the Corporate Partner of the Year award.

President’s Award for Excellence

This award recognizes individuals or organizations that champion United Way of Salt Lake’s efforts to create lasting change in community conditions through leadership, commitment, resources and time spent working to solve community problems. The award recipients demonstrate outstanding commitment to the mission of United Way of Salt Lake.

Lane Summerhays, President and CEO of Workers Compensation Fund, is an exemplary advocate for United Way of Salt Lake’s work in the community. Lane has taken on many assignments and his most recent, as chair of United Way of Salt Lake’s Financial Stability Council, will have a positive impact on Utah families for years to come. Lane was vital in facilitating the diverse membership comprised of 130 of the top minds in our state, from business, government, education, and religion, as well as other community leaders. He led the Financial Stability Council in its work to build consensus and far reaching solutions that will have broad impact for five areas facing Utah families: income, assets, housing, health care, and financial literacy.

Additionally, Lane has a keen understanding of the positive impact that effective public policy work can have on making systemic change. He was instrumental in bringing about meetings with Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. and key legislative leaders to initiate action on issues concerning financial stability, education, and the well-being of Utah families.

Lane’s enthusiasm for United Way of Salt Lake has rubbed off on his Workers Compensation Fund team. They embrace the power of giving by not only spending countless volunteer hours on a number of key committees, but also by making generous personal donations. Lane demonstrates the immeasurable difference one individual can make. United Way of Salt Lake gives a heartfelt thanks to Lane Summerhays, recipient of the 2008 President’s Award for Excellence.

Compassionate Leader of the Year

This award acknowledges the outstanding efforts of an individual who, over time, has committed a significant amount of his time and talents, along with personal and/or corporate resources, to fulfilling United Way of Salt Lake’s mission. This is the highest award United Way of Salt Lake gives to an individual who gives tirelessly of himself to advance United Way’s work.

Bruce Reese exemplifies the spirit of compassion in our community through his vigorous support of United Way of Salt Lake (UWSL). With his spirit and steel determination, Bruce has led the charge to sharpen the focus of UWSL’s mission to tackle our community’s most serious social problems.

Bruce has been active on United Way’s Board of Directors for over 10 years. He helped lead UWSL’s health care reform working group within the Financial Stability Council. This group’s efforts influenced the passage of a bill that would create a task force to look at comprehensive healthcare reform for all Utahns.

He was at the helm of a task force designed to help UWSL align its grant making process with its initiatives and public policy efforts. This work resulted in the creation of UWSL’s Community Change Councils, where Bruce serves as Chair of the Coordinating Council.

As President and CEO of Bonneville International, Bruce leads by example and inspires his organization as he lends his support with sponsorships and resources to the Day of Caring, Young Leaders and Women’s Philanthropic Network events, and various video productions. In addition, Bonneville International is exemplary in its workplace campaign efforts.

Over his many years of service, Bruce has been at the apex of UWSL’s progressive and innovative changes. United Way of Salt Lake is honored to present Bruce Reese with the Compassionate Leader of the Year award.

Today’s recipients have shown how to work in order to advance the common good every day. Through their commitment, generosity, and creativity, a tremendous impact throughout our community has been achieved. Please review the many achievements accomplished by United Way of Salt Lake and its community partners by reading the 2008 Report to the Community.