Chehalis’ National Frozen Foods Receives Top Honor for Generosity to the Community.
United Way of Lewis County kicked off its 2014 fundraising campaign Thursday at the Great Wolf Lodge — with a new emphasis on workplace drives.
The organization honored Chehalis’ National Frozen Foods as the 2013 business of the year. "This business is exceedingly deserving,” Angela French, United Way’s resource development director, told the more than 250 people in attendance. “The emphasis at National Frozen Foods embraces what it is to live united.”
John Setterstrom, the CEO of Lucky Eagle Casino, delivered the keynote address. Lucky Eagle employees have raised more than $425,000 with their workplace campaigns for United Way over the last five years. “It really is giving back to the community we serve,” Setterstrom said.
“It’s a home run for everybody.” Ann Flannigan, of the Washington State Employees Credit Union, which sponsored Thursday’s event, said her organization intends to become more involved with the Lewis County United Way for years to come.
“We’ve been looking at ourselves and realizing we need to do more,” she said. “It’s time to give back.”
United Way of Lewis County’s Executive Director Debbie Campbell recognized the 26 members of the 2013-2014 board of directors, including Doris Wood, a new Centralia College trustee, who was recently honored as woman of the year for her leadership of a group that raises funds for the organization.
Wood commended the work of United Way’s 34 community investment volunteers, who review applications from agencies and determine how to allocate the funding. “Those people are loyal,” Wood said.
Rev. Alta Smith recognized United Way’s 17 partner agencies that receive funding to aid in their efforts to improve the community. “The agencies reach into the lives in need,” Smith said. One of the agencies, Human Response Network, has delivered 7,100 services to victims of domestic violence in Lewis County over the last year. HRN Executive Director Sandi Thompson-Royer said United Way in 2013 provided $28,000 in additional funding to aid in her organization’s work. “We’d love to have more community money,” she said.
For those without the financial resources to donate, United Way representatives recommended looking into volunteer opportunities.
“Give, advocate and continue volunteering in your communities,” said Dan Zandell, the board president.
To aid in that mission, United Way is working on a new website that will help connect volunteers to community projects. Campbell said she expects to have the site completed in the coming weeks.