United Way honors notable donors at luncheon

United Way honors notable donors at luncheon

Zach White

The United Way celebrated the past year's accomplishments and honored top contributors at its Second Annual United Way Meeting and Luncheon Wednesday afternoon.

Lorraine Verploegen, United Way executive director, began the meeting by thanking everyone who was present or involved in the organization for the time and effort that made their programs possible.

"During the 2010 United Way year, our Hill County community learned how to live united, " Verploegen said.

"They gave 10 percent, 100 percent and even 110 percent. They gave an hour and a Saturday. They thought about 'we' before 'me. '"

Then, after the exchange of board of directors and executive committee memberships, Verploegen and other United Way leaders presented two Norm Gorder Community Spirit Awards, for an individual and a business, and, for the first time, the Tocqueville Society Award, for an organization that contributed more than $10,000.

***Norm Gorder Individual Award

Amanda Johnson, president of the United Way board of directors, presented the 2011 Norm Gorder Community Spirit Award for an individual volunteer to Jerry Bergren.

Johnson commended his contributions to the United Way, from his leadership in the annual Community Christmas dinner to encouraging and matching his employees' donations.

"Like Norm (Gorder, namesake of the award), he is there when his community needs him and expects nothing in return, " Johnson said.

Bergren, in accepting the award, expressed his gratitude with brevity.

"I don't like to say a few words, so I won't, " Bergren said, to laughs.

***Norm Gorder Business Award

The Norm Gorder award for a local business was presented by Kyle Leeds from New Media Broadcasters, who serves as vice president of the Board of Directors, to Floren's Hill County Printing for all of the services and materials they have contributed to United Way's causes over the years.

Leeds told the luncheon attendees that Hill County Printing "is a huge supporter and believer in the United Way of Hill County, helping a multitude of ways for our various events, " and highlighting their involvement in other "area youth organizations, area animal and habitat conservation groups, " the Northern Montana Hospital wine and cheese fundraiser, and the owners' involvement in the Kiwanis Club.

"I couldn't thank Robert and Ray enough for the help they've provided to help us do the things we do, " Leeds said.

Robert Floren said he, his brother and their employees are just trying to help people.

"We enjoy working closely with the United Way, " Floren said. "It's helping some of those people that can't help themselves. "

***Tocqueville Society Award

As Verploegen introduced this year's winner of the Tocqueville Society Award for an individual or organization that has contributed more than $10,000 to the United Way, she was proud to be able to present the award for the first time to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation for its unprecedented contribution.

Steve Gutierrez, a terminal manager for BNSF, accepted the award on behalf of the foundation.

"It's very humbling, " Gutierrez said. "It's an honor to play a part in an organization that helps so many people. "

"I have a passion in my heart for children as well. And any organization that reaches out and helps children, like the United Way does, is worthwhile. It's such a blessing. "

The United Way celebrated the past year's accomplishments and honored top contributors at its Second Annual United Way Meeting and Luncheon Wednesday afternoon.

Lorraine Verploegen, United Way executive director, began the meeting by thanking everyone who was present or involved in the organization for the time and effort that made their programs possible.

"During the 2010 United Way year, our Hill County community learned how to live united, " Verploegen said.

"They gave 10 percent, 100 percent and even 110 percent. They gave an hour and a Saturday. They thought about 'we' before 'me. '"

Then, after the exchange of board of directors and executive committee memberships, Verploegen and other United Way leaders presented two Norm Gorder Community Spirit Awards, for an individual and a business, and, for the first time, the Tocqueville Society Award, for an organization that contributed more than $10,000.

Norm Gorder Individual Award

Amanda Johnson, president of the United Way board of directors, presented the 2011 Norm Gorder Community Spirit Award for an individual volunteer to Jerry Bergren.

Johnson commended his contributions to the United Way, from his leadership in the annual Community Christmas dinner to encouraging and matching his employees' donations.

"Like Norm (Gorder, namesake of the award), he is there when his community needs him and expects nothing in return, " Johnson said.

Bergren, in accepting the award, expressed his gratitude with brevity.

"I don't like to say a few words, so I won't, " Bergren said, to laughs.

Norm Gorder Business Award

The Norm Gorder award for a local business was presented by Kyle Leeds from New Media Broadcasters, who serves as vice president of the Board of Directors, to Floren's Hill County Printing for all of the services and materials they have contributed to United Way's causes over the years.

Leeds told the luncheon attendees that Hill County Printing "is a huge supporter and believer in the United Way of Hill County, helping a multitude of ways for our various events, " and highlighting their involvement in other "area youth organizations, area animal and habitat conservation groups, " the Northern Montana Hospital wine and cheese fundraiser, and the owners' involvement in the Kiwanis Club.

"I couldn't thank Robert and Ray enough for the help they've provided to help us do the things we do, " Leeds said.

Robert Floren said he, his brother and their employees are just trying to help people.

"We enjoy working closely with the United Way, " Floren said. "It's helping some of those people that can't help themselves. "

Tocqueville Society Award

As Verploegen introduced this year's winner of the Tocqueville Society Award for an individual or organization that has contributed more than $10,000 to the United Way, she was proud to be able to present the award for the first time to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation for its unprecedented contribution.

Steve Gutierrez, a terminal manager for BNSF, accepted the award on behalf of the foundation.

"It's very humbling," Gutierrez said. "It's an honor to play a part in an organization that helps so many people. "

"I have a passion in my heart for children as well. And any organization that reaches out and helps children, like the United Way does, is worthwhile. It's such a blessing. "