The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

February 11, 2011

United Way announces business, volunteer awards

The Free Press

MANKATO — MANKATO — The Greater Mankato Area United Way, which reached its 2011 fundraising campaign goal of $1,860,000, has announced its annual business and volunteer awards in five categories.

They are:

--- Small Business of the Year — River Bend Business Products.

River Bend, consistently a great supporter of United Way, turned in an overall giving increase of 7.5 percent with 95 percent of its staff giving pledges.

--- Medium Business of the Year — CenterPoint Energy.

This year CenterPoint had an employee campaign participation rate of 86 percent and increased its giving by 13.4 percent, including an unexpected additional corporate gift toward the end of the campaign.

--- Large Business of the Year — Perfecseal.

United Way rallies were held for all work shifts, even at 3 a.m., resulting in an employee participation rate of 80 percent and a 24 percent increase in dollars pledged over last year.

--- United Way Volunteer of the Year — Laurel Kratzke.

Kratzke has served on the United Way board and in various other capacities for more than 15 years. As a longtime Community Impact Division chair,  she led and helped facilitate numerous follow-up meetings with partners that brought about positive discussions, collaborations and recommendations benefiting the community.

--- Unsung Hero of the Year — Dr. Sarah Sifers.

Often working behind the scenes, Sifers was instrumental in gathering and assessing research that led to the Girls on the Run Program. She’s also been an invaluable resource in facilitating evaluation processes for the BackPack Food Program and the First Steps Collaborative. 

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