Nearly 2,000 organizations across the region run United Way fundraising campaigns each year, helping to generate $43 million to address critical needs in our community. Earlier this year, we had the privilege of honoring many of our top supporters at our annual Community Celebration. Following are a few of those incredible honorees:

Volunteers of the Year

Haydee Nunez

Million Dollar Corporate Award

The following organizations gave corporate gifts of $1 million or more to United Way during the 2008 campaign. Your overwhelming generosity will create tangible, positive change across Chicagoland. Thank you for your philanthropic leadership.

Bank of America
BlueCross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Exelon/ComEd
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Northern Trust

Half-Million Dollar Challenge Grant Sponsor

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Half-Million Dollar Challenge Grant matched, dollar-for-dollar, every new or increased contribution of $1,000 or more to the 2008 campaign. — sparking tremendous excitement and helping to raise a million new dollars for improving lives across our region. We are so grateful to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois!

Top 10 Tocqueville Society Companies

The following organizations led Chicagoland in the number of individuals contributing at the Tocqueville Society level of $10,000 and above. Your incredible generosity is truly inspiring. Thank you!

Deloitte LLP
Ernst & Young
Northern Trust
PricewaterhouseCoopers
KPMG LLP
BlueCross and BlueShield of Illinois
Harris Associates LP
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
William lair & Company
Illinois Tool Works

Corporate Support Pillar

This Pillar recognizes the company that best aligns its philanthropic goals around strengthening our Chicagoland community and provides generous financial and/or in-kind support to United Way.

BlueCross and BlueShield of Illinois

Employee Support Pillar

This Pillar recognizes the company that best provides employees ample opportunity to invest in their community through United Way .

UPS

Leadership Giving & Tocqueville Support Pillar

This Pillar recognizes the company whose employees demonstrate extraordinary generosity through Leadership ($1,000+) and Tocqueville ($10,000+) gifts to United Way.

Deloitte LLP

Volunteerism Pillar

This Pillar recognizes the company that best encourages and supports its employees involvement in our community through hands-on volunteerism through United Way.

Harris Bank and BMO Capital Markets

Communications Pillar

This Pillar recognizes the company that strategically and effectively raises visibility and awareness through outstanding communicate about the impact United Way makes in our community.

Northern Trust

2009 Outstanding Leader

Access Community Health Network

2009 Outstanding Partner of the Year

Association House of Chicago

Outstanding Community Partner

The Chicago Community Trust

Community Spirit Award

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Leo Perlis Labor Participation Award

The Leo Perlis Labor Participation Award recognizes the local union that excels in support of and involvement with United Way to ensure the success of a workplace campaign.

Utility Workers of America, Gas Workers Local 18007

Growth & Innovation Award

The Growth & Innovation Award recognizes the organization that best demonstrates creativity and forward-thinking activities by incorporating United Way best practices or developing entirely new strategies in its campaign efforts to generate an increase of at least 10% in fundraising totals over the previous year.

Alcan Packaging

Highly Innovative Program

Chicago House and Sweet Miss Giving’s

Diversity Award

The Diversity Award recognizes the company that best demonstrates its commitment to creating an inclusive and flexible workplace that embraces diversity, richness of backgrounds and varying perspectives.

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Great Beginnings Award

The Great Beginnings Award recognizes the company that runs the most exceptional first- or second-time employee fundraising campaign, incorporates at least one United Way Best Practice, obtains and/or maintains a high participation rate and achieves outstanding results.

Robert W. Baird & Co.

Frances Wisebart Jacobs Award

Named after one of the founders of the national United Way movement, the Frances Wisebart Jacobs Award recognizes the individual who works in an exemplary way during the workplace campaign and throughout the year to educate and inspire employees to invest in their community through United Way.

The Campaign Leaders of Exelon/ComEd

David Yancy Ambassador Award

The David Yancy Award recognizes the Agency Ambassadors who has been most devoted and effective at educating others about United Way and its impact in the community through presentations, agency tours and/or exhibits during the United Way campaign.

Rachael Carbone

Outstanding Campaign Video

UPS

Diamond Award

The Diamond Award recognizes the leader at a United Way corporate partner whose commitment to United Way spans 25 years or more. Their contribution, leadership and dedication to improving lives through United Way have inspired others to LIVE UNITED and advance the common good in our community.

Ray McCaskey

Materials Award

Harris Bank and BMO Capital Markets

2008 Member United Way Corporate Citizen Award Winners

Top Corporate Citizens of United Way Oak Park, River Forest & Forest Park Award

Park National Bank

Top Corporate Citizens of DuPage United Way

Kellogg Company

Top Corporate Citizens of Northwest Suburban United Way

Schwarz
Wheels, Inc.
Rush North Shore Medical Center
Community Consolidated School District #21
Schawk, Inc.

Top Corporate Citizens of West Suburban United Way

Cummins NPower

Top Corporate Citizens of United Way North Shore United Way

Tenneco

Top Corporate Citizens of North Suburban United Way

PotashCorp

Top Corporate Citizens of South-Southwest Suburban United Way

Park National Bank