United Way of Clallam County awarded 18 individuals and organizations at their annual celebration event. The event thanked volunteers, donors and organizations for their support of United Way with a complimentary dinner and award ceremony at the Cedars at Dungeness.

Two award categories were presented: the Live United Award, for those who show the spirit of working together every day, and the Community Impact Award, for those who make a positive difference in our community.

Live United Award winners include: Olympic Medical Center for raising $113,000 during their employee campaign; Mary Sue French for doubling her individual donation; Peninsula Behavioral Health for increasing their employee campaign; Coyote BBQ and Fors Financial for their sponsorship of the first annual wing eating contest benefiting United Way; out-going board member Jo Johnston for her years of service on the board, out-going board president Corey Delikat for his dedication to United Way; board member Ray Chirayath for championing a new impact program in partnership with Peninsula College, and Chris and Laurie Szczepczynski for co-chairing the 2017 campaign.

Community Impact Award winners include: City of Sequim for their partnership with United Way during Day of Caring; Clallam County Literacy Council for distributing thousands of books across Clallam County; Forks Abuse Program for leading efforts at connecting non-profits; Lefties Baseball for being a positive new organization in the community; Cascadia Films for making a positive impact in the community and helping United Way with their videography projects; Olympic Veterinary Clinic for sponsoring and supporting United Way with volunteer hours, and Steve Moriarty for his efforts to grow and sustain the Clallam Community Foundation.

“No one person or program can do it alone,” said Christy Smith, United Way of Clallam County CEO, in her opening remarks. “It takes a variety of solutions and strategies. It takes us all working together to solve our community-wide issues. United Way is in a strong position to continue to work towards ensuring that all children have access to the best education possible, all families have a safe place to sleep at night, and that everyone has access to health care when they need it most.

“We cannot do this without you, that’s why we are honored to recognize those who are generous in their donations, time and talents. Together we can make our vision of a stronger community a reality.”

United Way of Clallam County has been a health and human service nonprofit since 1952. United Way of Clallam County’s mission is to strengthen the local community by partnering with local nonprofits to provide funding for the “meaningful, effective programs and increasing access to a good quality of life through the impact areas of health, education and financial stability.”

Event sponsors include Crestwood Health and Rehabilitation Center, Olympic Veterinary Clinic and Sound Community Bank.

For more information about the United Way of Clallam County, visit www.unitedwayclallam.org or email to info@unitedwayclallam.org.