United Way of the River Cities recognized community members and organizations who have championed the nonprofit’s mission over the past year during the annual Celebration of Excellence.
This year’s COE luncheon was in the Shawkey Dining Room at Marshall University and highlighted moments from 2023 as well as United Way’s plans for the upcoming year and beyond.
This year’s awards ceremony honored several businesses and individuals who have gone above and beyond in supporting UWRC’s campaign and volunteer efforts:
- Visionary Partner — Steel of West Virginia
- Cornerstone Partners — Dutch Miller Auto Group and Marshall Health Network (Cabell Huntington Hospital, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Rivers Health, HIMG)
- Impact Partners — CITCO Water, City National Bank, Huntington Federal Savings Bank, J. H. Fletcher & Co., Pritchard Electric Company, Inc. and Special Metals Corporation.
- Large Business of the Year — Steel of West Virginia
- Mid-Sized Business of the Year — City National Bank
- Small Business of the Year — Huntington YMCA
- Trendsetter Business — Aqua Ohio
- Campaign Coordinator of the Year — Zach Whitfield, City National Bank
- Ambassador of the Year — Zach Smith, Bloss & Dillard
- Community Impact Award — Cridlin Food and Clothing Pantry
- Volunteer of the Year — Sherri Thompson, Ironton
UWRC also recognized the continued work and support of its board of directors, including outgoing members and new appointees. Outgoing board president Erik Legg, of Farrell, White & Legg, passed the gavel to Susan Beth Robinson, of Marshall Health Network.
Other outgoing board members are: Dr. Michael Prewitt, Marshall University; Terri Lynn Queen, Wayne County Schools; Randy Saunders, Nelson Mullins; Bishop Charles Shaw, Huntington Black Pastors Association; and Vanessa Washington, community volunteer.
Board vice president will be Shane Finster, of Armstrong; and Toney Stroud, of Marshall University will be second vice president.
New board members for 2024 were recognized as well: Dr. Robin Ashford, Marshall University
School of Medicine; Amy Browning, St. Mary’s Medical Center; Sherrone Hornbuckle-Myers, Cabell County Board of Education; and Allison Scott, United Bank.
