Celebrating Community Impact
At the 2024 Longest Table, United Way of Bay County was able to recognize some amazing individuals in our community and honor them with our United Way Annual Awards.
Our Student Leader of the Year was awarded to Ms. Grace Ballard, a Pinconning High School student who has gone above and beyond with volunteering in our community. Grace has logged 326.25 volunteer hours and has had the chance to volunteer with AYSO Soccer, Pinconning Boys and Girls Club, Special Olympics, Pinconning Food Pantry, Bay Arenac- ISD Imagination Library, Pinconning Area Schools, Pinconning Drama Department, United Way of Bay County, bake sales, and St. John’s Lutheran Church. We’re so thankful to have young leaders like Grace in our community! ✨
The Community Champion was given to McLaren Bay Region, as the award recognizes a company in our community that supports United Way and its annual campaign through extraordinary efforts. Dave Haugh, one of our amazing board members, as well as a McLaren Bay Region staff member, was key to growing the hospital’s campaign engagement, informing them on the good that United Way of Bay County does for our community, and encouraging the staff to participate in giving through our annual campaign. We are so thankful to have Dave as an advocate for us in the community, as well as thankful to have employee engagement at McLaren! 🤝
The Community Cornerstone was awarded to Mrs. Emily Jankowski. Emily, an Operational Excellence Manager at Dow Chemical for International Trade, has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to our community that goes far beyond her professional role. Emily was a pillar in creating Project SMILE, which assembles hygiene kits for local high schools, as well as an organizer for the drive-through food distributions in Auburn City Park. We are so thankful to have heroes like Emily in our Bay County! 🫶
Our LIVE UNITED award, which exemplifies a spirit of volunteer service to their community by giving their time, talent, and efforts to the United Way of Bay County, as well as to other organizations in the community, was given to Mrs. Sue Fournier! Sue is one of our tried and true volunteers for the United Way of Bay County, who actively shops for our Back 2 School and Warm Soles programs. Not only is she a super shopper, but Sue generously contributes to various charitable initiatives, such as the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Toys for Tots, and Coats for Kids. Sue’s dedication to United Way’s mission, combined with her tireless support for community programs, displays what it means to truly LIVE UNITED! ❤
Last but certainly not least, we were able to honor Mr. and Mrs. Dom and Pam Monastiere with the George R. Heron Heart of the Community award! This award is in Honor of the late George Heron, a true community leader who served as the Executive Director of the United Way for over 25 years, making an impact that would forever be a legacy. It recognizes individuals who most embody United Way’s leadership, spirit of volunteering, philanthropy, and truly live out the mission and vision of United Way in their everyday lives.
Over the years, Dom and Pam have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to philanthropy and community service, such as dedicating their time to the YWCA, Hidden Harvest, the Great Lakes Loons Baseball Club, the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, and many more! Pam and Dom truly embody the “heart of the community” and are so deserving of this award.