The United Way of Chester County recently honored local businesses and community partners at its Campaign Kickoff & Annual Meeting held at Penn Oaks Golf Club in West Chester.

Guests enjoyed lunch and networking, and award winners were commended for their enthusiasm and dedication to the United Way’s mission to fight for the health, education, and financial independence of each person in Chester County.

Each year, the United Way of Chester County spotlights a select list of partners who, for the past campaign year, have exemplified the spirit and dedication of hundreds of companies and organizations supporting the United Way.

“They are a spotlight of the many, many people who went above and beyond to help the United Way of Chester County reach its goals last year,” said Brian Parsons, United Way Board Member and Vice President of Products and Supply Divisions at Communications Test Design, Inc.

This year’s award recipients included:

• PECO: Spirit of Chester County Award
• West Chester Area School District: Corporate Partner of the Year
• Maryellen Derr of Cakes & Candies by Maryellen: Community Partner of the Year
• Debbie Pierce of Rita’s Water Ice: Community Partner of the Year
• Friends Association for the Care & Protection of Children: Agency Partner of the Year
• Jocelyn Gilmore, Chester County Intermediate Unit: Workplace Campaign Chair of the Year

The awards ceremony was sponsored by Arthur Hall Insurance. Award winners were presented with a plaque and given an opportunity to share their reasons for supporting the United Way.

“Something that we stress in our (school) district is that, for all of our kids to achieve their personal best, it’s not just academics; it’s giving back to our community,” said Dr. Jim Scanlon, Superintendent of the West Chester Area School District. “Each of our high schools has over 40 service clubs.”

“I was raised by a single mom,” said Maryellen Derr. “What brings us all to United Way is to bring our abilities and our love and respect for one another together, to raise money for families in need. That’s why I do what I do.”

“It’s been said time and again that Chester County is one of the most affluent counties in the state, but there are also many pockets in Chester County that are suffering, and the United Way does an outstanding job surrounding the county’s most critical problems,” said Jocelyn Gilmore. “I’m very proud to be a part of that, and I’m grateful for the collaborative working partnership we have with the United Way of Chester County.”

Catherine Friedman, Executive Director of the Friends Association, accepted the Agency Partner of the Year Award on behalf of her nonprofit.

“It’s a match made in heaven: the work we do as nonprofits to meet the needs in the community, and the work that United Way of Chester County does to share the story and the need with businesses and partners throughout the community,” she said. “They are able to access wide groups of people and tell them about the need and garner the support needed to address those issues in a way that we individual nonprofits could never do.”

The Spirit of Chester County Award, the United Way of Chester County’s highest honor, was presented to PECO.

“Our mission is much more than keeping the lights on and keeping the gas running,” said Michael Innocenzo, the recently appointed President of PECO. “It’s about helping to have a thriving community, and for that we couldn’t have a better partner than many of you here in the room and especially the United Way.”

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