Baltimore, Md. (December 6, 2022) – United Way of Central Maryland celebrated the region’s top philanthropists and volunteers at an event hosted by McCormick & Company this fall. Among those honored were KCI Technologies (Organization of the Year), Mike and Ann Hankin (Philanthropists of the Year), and The Fine Family of Holly Poultry (the Mark Furst Volunteers of a Lifetime).
“Bringing this group of leaders in our community together to celebrate each other, and their peers, at McCormick & Company headquarters was extraordinary,” said Franklyn Baker, president and CEO, United Way of Central Maryland. “The impact our honorees have had on the Baltimore region is immeasurable. These are leaders who give of themselves – their time and their resources. Thanks to their generosity, United Way is able to strengthen more lives and more neighborhoods across Greater Baltimore.”
Each honoree has a well-known commitment to serving the community and continuing to inspire and encourage others to improve lives.
KCI Technologies was chosen as Organization of the Year for their historic and ongoing dedication to United Way via their team’s time and talent, and financially. One effort is their annual “Pumpkin Chucking” contest to raise funds for United Way.
Mike and Ann Hankin, Philanthropists of the Year, have been supporters of United Way for decades. And United Way is just one of their many community causes.
The Fine Family of Holly Poultry received the Mark Furst Volunteers of a Lifetime Award. Members of the Fine family and their employees have been instrumental to United Way’s food distributions both before and during the pandemic. Over the years, they have provided nearly 900,000 pounds of food, and have helped feed more than 2.6 million people.
The evening was about celebrating central Maryland’s most generous and dedicated citizens, and about coming together to recognize the work that still needs to be done. Because of the dedication of these community leaders, and many others, United Way of Central Maryland is able to tackle the tough challenges our region faces. United Way has led initiatives like STEP (Strategic Targeted Eviction Prevention) in the region – helping nearly 12,000 people avoid evictions and remain stably housed – and just announced a new program for Baltimore City School students – Young Men United. This program will break down barriers to educational and earning equity for young men of color in the Baltimore region by guiding students from high school to college or job training and into a full-time career aligned with their dreams and goals. The first cohort of students will be from Patterson and Benjamin Franklin High Schools in Baltimore City. Ultimately, Young Men United will aim to onboard 250 students over three years.
“These volunteer leaders represent very different segments of the business community in our region, but they have a critical thing in common,” added Baker. “They recognize that the needs in our community are substantial, they know the power and promise of partnership, and they trust in United Way’s ability to make a meaningful and measurable difference in our region.”
United Way of Central Maryland helps the working poor and those in poverty access basic needs like housing, healthcare, jobs, and education. The nonprofit’s programs promote equity, create opportunity, and improve the lives of our neighbors and the neighborhoods they call home. For nearly 100 years, United Way has tackled the toughest challenges in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties. Learn more at uwcm.org.
