United Way honors volunteers, announces $3.58 million total at 22nd Victory Celebration

Brianna Maestas, Amarillo Globe-News
·4 min read

United Way of Amarillo and Canyon (UWAC) honored its 22nd annual Victory Celebration recipients during its award ceremony Thursday evening in the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Room.

During the ceremony, more than 300 individuals were in attendance to honor board members, volunteers, donors and businesses who all played a role in the organization's annual fundraising year, measured from April 2022 to April 2023. Approximately 60 awards were given during the celebration event.

"Tonight is our victory celebration event, and we couldn't do anything without all the people in the chairs. There are over 300 in attendance, with a few more who could not make it due to scheduling conflicts. ... But we couldn't do anything in our community without the donors and volunteers; that is the bottom line," Kiley Murray, President and CEO of UWAC, said.

UWAC also announced at the award ceremony that it was able to exceed its goal for this year's fundraising. According to Murray, the UWAC's goal was $3.5 million, and with the efforts of the individuals and companies awarded that night, the organization was able to raise a total of $3.58 million.

United Way of Amarillo and Canyon awarded outstanding fundraising community members and announced its total fundraising of more than $3.5 million during its 22nd annual Victory Celebration on Thursday evening.
United Way of Amarillo and Canyon awarded outstanding fundraising community members and announced its total fundraising of more than $3.5 million during its 22nd annual Victory Celebration on Thursday evening.
United Way of Amarillo and Canyon awarded community members and announced its total fundraising of more than $3.5 million during its 22nd annual Victory Celebration on Thursday evening.
United Way of Amarillo and Canyon awarded community members and announced its total fundraising of more than $3.5 million during its 22nd annual Victory Celebration on Thursday evening.

"We passed our goal by approximately $80,000, which is a really good. ... We then take all that money that we raised, and then we are able to allocate a certain amount to all of our programs to take care of expenses. Then we turn around and give that back to the community. So, with what we raised, we have over $2 million that goes right back out the door to the community and all of our program providers," Murray added.

One award recipient, Chris Rogers, loan executive volunteer and assistant team leader with Xcel Energy, spoke about what this award means to him, receiving Loan Executive of the Year.

"This is an amazing honor to me because we have so many volunteers and great loan executives to be considered for these awards. This is unexpected. We all do this because we love the community, and we want to help ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), which is our campaign focus this year. United Way is such a great organization, and it is the community working together to help our community," Rogers said.

Rogers added that this was his first year volunteering with UWAC, and he plans to continue his efforts in supporting the group's mission in helping those in need throughout the Texas Panhandle.

"I was drawn to United Way after realizing their mission and being able to be the bridge to help so many different organizations in our area. That's really amazing to me, and then allowing different organizations to come seek those funds that we all collectively raised and donate to that cause, is what will inspires me to continue to work with United Way," Rogers said.

United Way of Amarillo and Canyon awarded community members and announced its total fundraising of more than $3.5 million during its 22nd annual Victory Celebration on Thursday evening.
United Way of Amarillo and Canyon awarded community members and announced its total fundraising of more than $3.5 million during its 22nd annual Victory Celebration on Thursday evening.
United Way of Amarillo and Canyon awarded community members and announced its total fundraising of more than $3.5 million during its 22nd annual Victory Celebration on Thursday evening.
United Way of Amarillo and Canyon awarded community members and announced its total fundraising of more than $3.5 million during its 22nd annual Victory Celebration on Thursday evening.

Awards and recipients include: Spirit of the High Plains Award to Baptist Community Services; Summit Award to The English Rose; Exceptional Achievement Award to Johnson & Sheldon; Sybil B. Harrington Leadership Award to Atmos Energy; Community Champion to Eaton Amarillo; Rookie of the Year to Ben Huebner; First United Bank, ECC of the year to Stacy Ruiz, AutoInc; Loaned Executive of the Year to Chris Rogers, Xcel Energy; Assistant Team Leader of the Year to Janell Menahem, 211 Texas Panhandle-United Way; Team Leader of the Year to Mitsi Frederiksen, Amarillo National Bank; Excellence in Community Impact to Judy Day; Excellence in Community Outreach to Street Volkswagen; Volunteer of the Year to Megan Reed, Bell; and President’s Significant Achievement Award to ALICE through 211 Specific Aid.

The event also included the awarding of more than 50 certificates, awarded to Atmos Energy Corp., Johnson & Sheldon, P.C., Cenex Harvest States, Underwood, Wilson, Berry, Stein & Johnson, P.C., American Equipment & Trailer, Inc., Amarillo College, Appalachian Railcar, Education Credit Union, Sonic Drive In Amarillo, Baptist Community Services, Eaton Amarillo, Bank of America, Goodwill Industries of Northwest Texas, Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains, Bushland ISD, Northwest Texas Healthcare Systems, AAA Texas, Brown & Fortunato, P.C., Dillard's Department Store, IMS Marketing, Inc., KB Recycling, NewsChannel 10, Randall County, Sage Oil Vac, Salvation Army of the Amarillo High Plains, Santa Fe Federal Credit Union and Tex Mex Fence Supply, Inc.

After the awarding of recipients, the night included a silent auction and gaming tables, with live music provided by Insufficient Funds.

For more information or to make a donation to UWAC, visit them online at https://www.unitedwayama.org/ .

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: United Way of Amarillo and Canyon celebrates volunteers, goal met