Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Zimmer's director of public affairs, D. Bradley Bishop, received the Robert M. Ellison Award at the United Way 2001 "Thanks For Giving" awards luncheon Thursday.
Farmers State Bank's team received the Keyleaders of the Year Award. Members of the team include Clare Baumgardt, Shawn Patterson and Kristi Manwaring.
The Robert M. Ellison Award recognizes the volunteer of the year. Bishop is very active in the annual community fund drive. He has served as industrial division chairman, which raises more than 80 percent of the total campaign dollars. He was the right-hand man of the 2000 campaign chairman. He serves on the nominating and search committees and will serve as board of directors president for 2002.
Upon receiving the award, Bishop thanked everyone and said he was very surprised and humbled to receive the award. He said he appreciated working for a company like Zimmer that believes in community involvement.
"I thank you and really appreciate this," he said.
The Keyleader of the Year Award goes to the person or persons who conduct a successful company fund drive and help others learn how to bring together employees in a cause that strengthens the community.
In 1993, Farmers State Bank began participating in United Way. Since then, the bank has continued to work toward helping the community through employee campaigns across five branches. The team took Farmers State Bank from 39 percent participation last year to 97 percent this year. They also were instrumental in producing a 400 percent increase in giving from Farmers State Bank.
In 2001, The United Way funded 27 services agencies at $1.1 million, raised during last year's campaign. The campaign this year raised an estimated $1.2 million, according to Grant McGuire, the campaign chairman for next year.
At the luncheon, the 2001 campaign cabinet, speaker's bureau and allocations committee were recognized as were the outgoing members of the board of directors.
Businesses and organizations were also recognized for their fund-raising efforts. Bronze winners raised $25-$49.99 per capita; silver winners raised $50-$99.99 per capita; and gold winners raised $100 and above per capita.
