Bowling Green, KY – February 5, 2026 – United Way of Southern Kentucky (UWSK) held its annual LIVE UNITED Awards Ceremony on Thursday evening, highlighting exceptional contributions to community advancement through philanthropy and volunteer engagement. The ceremony honored organizations, businesses, and individuals whose work has created lasting impact within local communities.
The evening started by recapping the incredible efforts of the last year and emphasizing all the ways supporters have been giving, advocating, and volunteering, the three core pillars of United Way’s mission. Highlighted efforts included Read Across America Day, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Feed the Need, Day of Caring, 211, programs like Operation Ready Child, ParentPowered, and other key initiatives. Steve Thurmond, the emcee for the evening, then started the presentation of awards:
Community Impact Partnership Awards were presented to organizations making a difference in early childhood education, a key focus of UWSK’s mission.
- Baby2Baby received the Community Impact Partnership Award for their extraordinary commitment to families and its profound impact on Kindergarten Readiness.
Give Awards
Greatest Giving Increases (employee and corporate giving combined)
Increase of $5,000 – $9,999
- German American Bank
- Warren RECC
Increase of $10,000 – $14,999
- KirkpatrickPrice Inc.
Increase of $20,000+
- General Motors and UAW Local 2164
Leadership Investment Awards (employee giving)
Most leadership dollars (gifts of $1,000 or more) from organizations employing:
Less than 100 employees
- FORVIS MAZARS LLP
100 – 250 employees
- Houchens Insurance Group
More than 250 employees
- Logan Aluminum
Volunteer Investment Awards
Top Organizations with the largest % of employees volunteering in multiple United Way functions:
- American Bank & Trust
- City of Bowling Green
- Fruit of the Loom, Inc.
- Logan Aluminum
- Trace Die Cast, Inc.
Top 10 Campaigns
Top 10 campaigns for overall corporate and employee giving in 2023:
10. Warren County Water District
9. Georgia Pacific
8. Houchens Insurance Group
7. City of Bowling Green
6. Murphy Construction Group
5. Warren RECC
4. Fruit of the Loom, Inc.
3. Trace Die Cast, Inc.
2. General Motors and UAW Local 2164
1. Logan Aluminum
The Spirit United Award, presented to organizations that demonstrate year-round enthusiasm for United Way. It was awarded to 3A Composites for their deep involvement in early childhood education and volunteerism, including serving on Allocations committees and Speaker’s Bureau and more.
Mirka Llanos Pineda, a college freshman, received the Shooting Star Award for her courageous work overcoming financial and transportation barriers, completed dual credit coursework, and earned eligibility for the SKYCTC DC2 Finish Scholarship, covering her first-year tuition.
The final awards of the evening were two LIVE UNITED Award winners selected from a group of four finalists. The two finalists representing organizations with less than 200 employees were:
- ELPO Law
- Forvis Mazars
The two finalists representing organizations with more than 200 employees were:
- General Motors and UAW Local 2164
- Trace Die Cast, Inc.
The winners, selected by community volunteers for their commitment to giving, advocacy, and volunteering, were ELPO Law and General Motors and UAW Local 2164.
And for the first time ever United Way introduced The Legacy Awards, at its heart, a Legacy is defined as the long-lasting impact of a person’s actions in life and a way they will be remembered for years to come.
Ann Puckett, the first recipient of the Live United Legacy Award, is one of those committed supporters for 27+ years. She believed in the mission of United Way, and she has been unwavering throughout all this time.
Steve Thurmond, the final recipient of the Live United Legacy Award, has been a Board member, head of numerous committees, motivator, cheerleader, BOD chairman multiple times, and has been a champion for United Way for nearly three decades.
Debbie Hills, President and CEO for United Way of Southern Kentucky, stated, “This event is always an inspiring one, as we see the commitment, generosity, and community spirit of so many organizations and individuals. Tonight was no exception, as we honored our first Legacy Award recipients, their actions change lives, strengthen families, and build a brighter future for Southern Kentucky. May we all leave such a legacy!”
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If you would like to learn more about United Way of Southern Kentucky, please visit www.uwsk.org or call 270-843-3205. United Way of Southern Kentucky (UWSK) is a local, independent, non-profit organization that works to identify and address the issues that matter most, change conditions and improve lives. The mission of United Way of Southern Kentucky is to be the leader in bringing together the resources to build a stronger, more caring community. United Way is focused on the building blocks for good quality of life – Education, Income, Health and Safety Net. Therefore, the vision of United Way is a Southern Kentucky where all residents are educated, healthy, and financially stable. Incorporated as a charitable non-profit entity in 1956, UWSK has long served a major role in the community by bringing people together to create opportunities that make a measurable difference in the quality of life for people where they live and work.