United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley celebrated the end of its 2019 campaign Thursday evening at the Courtyard by Marriott in Phenix City and revealed their 2019 campaign total - $7,241,8000. More than 200 guests attended the celebration.

“Raising over 7.2 million dollars and far exceeding our goal shows what is possible when an entire community works together,” said President and COO of Synovus Kevin Blair, 2019 United Way Campaign Chair. “This has been an amazing effort by hundreds of partners and volunteers along with over 15,000 donors- all working together collectively to ensure that everyone in the Chattahoochee Valley is cared for and supported,” he added.

United Way’s 2019 campaign theme was “Change Doesn’t Happen Alone.” This year’s campaign goal of $7.075 million was revealed at the campaign kickoff in August. By working together, the community exceeded that goal to raise the most money ever.

“Exceeding our goal by over $150,000 and hitting a historic high for the United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley campaign is a great credit to the spirit of philanthropy in our region,” said Ben Moser, President & CEO of United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley. “Kevin Blair, the campaign cabinet and all of our volunteers and staff did a truly amazing job. Our donors are the best and most generous you’ll ever find. Their dollars will be invested back into education, income, health and basic needs in our community; changing lives and reducing impact of poverty on students and families,” he added.

Gwen Ruff, Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning and Employee Services for Columbus Water Works, was introduced as the 2020 United Way Campaign Chair.

Annual awards were presented to the following individuals and companies:

Rising Star Awards: Gildan, Harris County School District
Corporate Partner of the Year: Robinson, Grimes & Company, P.C., Alabama Power Company, Flournoy Companies
Chairman’s Award of Excellence: Russell County Sheriff’s Office
President’s Award: Columbus Consolidated Government
Million Dollar Corporate Sponsor: TSYS, A Global Payments Company
“Women Helping Women” Volunteer Award: Wendi Jenkins
D. Abbott Turner Volunteer Award: Wade Burford
Chris Rogers Youth Volunteer Award: Andy De Rojas
Comeback Kick Award: The Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia
LIVE UNITED Spirit Award: Aflac
Hope Isn’t a One Man Band: WTVM, WRBL, WLTZ, The Ledger-Enquirer, PMB Broadcasting, CTV Beam