AUDIO REPORT: United Way Blackhawk Region celebrates

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The United Way Blackhawk Region honors several of those who set themselves apart. Three-hundred some supporters gathered for a celebration breakfast Wednesday morning at the Eclipse Center in Beloit to honor donors and volunteers. Among them, Edgerton Community Outreach Director Sarah Williams, who was recognized with the Excellence in Advocacy award. Festival Foods Store Director Kevin Schnell accepted the Emerging Campaign honors. Geraldine Hedberg Volunteer of the Year award recipient Rick Mueller pointed out how he’d found riches, even with a modest lifestyle. Lynn Gardinier representing Baker-Tilly gathered up the Live United Award. United Way President and CEO Mary Fanning-Penny shared how the 2015 campaign fell short of its $2.85 million goal with $2.5 million in pledges. Fanning-Penny was quick to point out the shortfall will not impact programs supported by the United Way. On the plus side, she highlight how Leadership Circle giving is on the rise, and all four Cornerstone Campaigns realized increases over last year.