Pikes Peak United Way 2015 Community Celebration Luncheon

The Pikes Peak United Way in Colorado Springs held its Community Celebration Luncheon June 4 at the Broadmoor Hotel International Center to honor its supporters. More than 650 attended the event to listen to keynote speaker Rich Harwood, president and founder of the Maryland-based Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, and to officially recognize key volunteers, individual and corporate donors from throughout the Colorado Springs metro region.

KKTV/Channel 11 anchors Dianne Derby and Don Ward emceed the event with presentations made by Pikes Peak Board Chair Kent Fortune followed by organizational program updates by PPUW President/CEO Jason Wood who thanked presenting sponsors Federal Express and U.S. Bank. As part of its mission in Colorado Springs, the Pikes Peak United Way serves more than 35 partner agencies. This year the PPUW annual community campaign raised $5.7 million.

Keynote speaker Richard Harwood enthusiastically advocated for a more entrepreneurial attitude in dealing with community challenges. He urged leaders, politicos and guests to focus on three things including engaging people around shared aspirations, learning to build things together, and “paying close attention to stories we tell ourselves about ourselves and our communities.”

This year’s award winners are:

• Volunteers of the Year: Dr. Lance Bolton, Jerry Forte, Tom Neppl, Jan Weiland
• Spirit of Caring Award- Small Company: Nor’wood
• Spirit of Caring Award- Medium Company: Peoples Bank
• Spirit of Caring Award- Large Company: USAA
• Leaders in Collaboration Award: Sarah Tracy, Bob Hughes

Award-winning actress and community advocate Sally Hybl received the S. Jerrard Smith Award which honors individuals whose work changes the lives of many and improves the quality of life in the community. Last year’s recipient of the Smith Award–Pam Shockley, Chancellor at University of Colorado-Colorado Springs–introduced Hybl who thanked her colleagues, guests and family for their support. Hybl is a lifelong Colorado Springs resident and President of the Cheyenne Mountain School District’s Tradition of Excellence Foundation.

Founded in 1922, Pikes Peak United Way is dedicated to addressing the underlying causes of problems and creating lasting change throughout El Paso and Teller counties. Through its Successful Kids, Strong Families, Tools for Living and Community Wellness programs PPUW targets the most immediate and critical problems to provide support in lasting and meaningful ways that benefit the Colorado Springs community.

For more information visit: ppunitedway.org