United Way Announces its Annual Community Celebration Luncheon and Award Recipients

United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties announces its Annual Community Celebration Luncheon and names the 2022-2023 award recipients on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the MTSU Student Union Ballroom.

United Way’s mission to improve health, education, and financial stability would not have been possible without the help and support of our local community. The Community Celebration occurs each year and is a time of reflection and recognition of individuals, organizations, and partners who have significantly impacted our community over the past year. This year’s annual award recipients include:

Board Member of the Year
Dr. Jill Austin

Community Engagement Award
Middle Tennessee Electric

Community Impact Award
Pinnacle Financial Partners

ECM of the Year
Stacy Wallace

Dr. Linda Gilbert Advocacy Award
Deb Thompson

Rise Award
Kennametal

Volunteer of the Year
Fran Jones

Witherspoon Society Award
Chris and Bonita Jones

Young Leader of the Year
Sierra Lowry

The Community Celebration highlights the impact made through our Bold Goals 2030 Initiative. We are proud of the work we have achieved through our Bold Goals, part of a 10-year plan designed through a strategic collaboration to help improve the lives of individuals and families in our local community.

Lucie Burchfield, Vice President of Resource and Development, shared why recognizing our progress toward our Bold Goals is essential. “First and most importantly, local experts in their fields carefully and intentionally developed the Bold Goals 2030. The work being done is funded by the community, making it critical that we remain in partnership with the community through transparent reporting, excellence in service delivery, reviewing progress, and celebrating the impact being made now and for the future.”

We want to thank Publix Super Markets and Publix Super Markets Charities, our presenting sponsor, and all our 2023 Community Celebration sponsors: Dr. James and Beverly Calder, Middle Tennessee Electric, Volunteer State Bank, Ascend Federal Credit Union, Ingram Content, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Regions Bank, Wilson Bank & Trust, and Fleet Feet. This event is open to the community. Tickets are on sale now and are available for $50 per individual and $500 per table.

To purchase tickets, visit, yourlocaluw.org/communitycelebration.