On Thursday, August 14, 2025, United Way of Sumner County (UWSC) gathered over 200 community leaders, businesses, donors, advocates, and volunteers for our annual Community Impact Breakfast. This inspiring event celebrated the power of giving, advocacy, and volunteerism while honoring those who make a lasting difference in the lives of our neighbors.
Hosted at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, guests enjoyed a delicious breakfast prepared by Bit-O-Heaven Catering. The program opened with an invocation by Pastor Aaron Allison from CIB Church and words of welcome from UWSC Board Chair, Kelley Crecelius, who recognized the UWSC Board of Directors and thanked our event sponsors including Schell Brothers for sponsoring our t-shirts; Cumberland Electric Membership Coop/Cumberland Connect for sponsoring the Campaign Bags; and friends of UWSC for providing the floral centerpieces. She then introduced Tara Tenorio, Community Development Regional Manager for Meta, Presenting Sponsor of the event, who shared a few words about why Meta is proud to support the community and to have served as the Presenting Sponsor of the event for the last four years.
UWSC CEO, Erin Birch, talked about the help support UWSC provides to connect needs to resources and recognized the incredible UWSC Partner Agencies who provide direct service to those in need in our impact areas of Healthy Community, Financial Security, Youth Opportunity, and Community Resiliency.
The event was full of stories of inspiration and impact. Erin shared a powerful story involving a collaboration with Sumner County Schools that illustrates how small ideas can have a big impact. She took a call, just three days after school started, from a local family who found stability through quick access to resources provided via the new 211 link on school iPads.
Beth Pickel, UWSC Board Member and volunteer, gave a heartfelt testimonial, sharing her own experience growing up as an ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) family and why supporting United Way continues to matter deeply in her life and work.
She said that her mom "raised four children on her own as a single mother, and because she had no fear that we saw and she had a strong faith, I don't think I realized what category we would have fallen in. All I saw was a mom who, she didn't drink milk because she didn't like it. She was too busy, and, too energetic, to sit down and eat when we sat down and ate. What I realized when I was a mom, is that she didn't drink milk so there would be enough for us, and she didn't sit down to eat until we were finished, because she wanted to make sure there was enough for us first . . . I cannot imagine the times that she laid there at night and wondered what would happen if she didn't make enough money in tips and how helpful it would have been when Erin was sharing that story . . . what a blessing to my mom, for me to come home with a resource like that that she could have reached out to."
Beth also talked about how her family lost everything in a fire when she was in the ninth grade. "I can't go back and thank every one of the people that helped us. I don't even know who some of them are, but all of you have helped somebody just like me, and on their behalf, I just want to say thank you. I wouldn't be where I am today if they hadn't helped me then."
Several other UWSC Board Members served as award presenters, each sharing their personal “why” for serving through United Way. They included Katie Brown, Kelley Crecelius, Theresa Dowell-Fuqua, Representative William Lamberth, Wynde Ross, Susan White, and Vice Chair, Jordan Woodruff, who said, "What I love most about the United Way is its ability to give back to all of Sumner County. United Way is a great, centralized conduit that can help a free clinic in Gallatin, a senior center in Westmoreland, a home for homeless women in Hendersonville, and a food pantry in Portland, and that is just a regular Monday."
One of the most exciting parts of the morning was the presentation of our annual awards. Each announcement brought fun, energy, and surprise as individuals and organizations were honored for their role in advancing UWSC’s mission through the mantra of GIVE ADVOCATE VOLUNTEER.
Awards under the category of "Give" were given for the Highest Amount Raised during FY25 including workplace giving, sponsorships, corporate donations, and internal fundraising events; the Highest Employee Participation to companies with at least 50% participation; and the Highest Growth for year-over-year growth. The award for Overall Top Fundraiser was presented to Servpro Headquarters for raising over $147,000 in FY25.
Susan White, UWSC Board member then honored those in the room who coordinate their company's Workplace Giving campaigns. She shared, "Last year Workplace Giving represented 70% of the total investment we were able to return to the community with more than 2,500 employees giving over $420,000!" She then recognized UWSC's Top 20 Companies:
1. Servpro Headquarters
2. ITW StampTech Fasteners
3. Publix Charities
4. Gallatin Department of Electricity
5. HCA Healthcare
6. Costco Wholesale Warehouse in Hendersonville
7. Sumner County Schools Maintenance Department
8. The Farmers Bank
9. Caterpillar
10. Aladdin Temp-Rite
11. Publix Store #1141 in Goodlettsville
12. ITW Dynatec
13. Publix Store #119 in Hendersonville
14. Madison Creek Elementary School
15. Tennessee Valley Authority
16. Publix #1033 in Gallatin
17. Dollar General Corporation (TIED)
17. META (TIED)
18. Publix Store #1780 at Newman’s Crossing
19. Publix Store #1739 at Windsong
20. Gallatin High School
She also explained UWSC's new 365 Small Business Circle which is a way for small businesses to join forces to make a big difference. For just $1 a day, small businesses can become a 365 Small Business Circle Member. At $2 a day, they’re recognized as a Small Business Circle Partner. And at $3 a day, we celebrate them as Small Business Circle Leaders. She then recognized the FY25 Small Business Circle Leaders: All American Pest Control, Gallatin Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram; and Gallatin Ford.
Next, Kelley Crecelius spoke about the Advocate of the Year Award. The Advocate of the Year takes an active interest and role in understanding the needs of our community—and then acts and speaks on behalf of those who need our help most. This person uses their influence, their connections, and their voice to bring attention to important issues and inspire others to get involved. The award for FY25 Advocate of the Year was presented to Amy Ramsey.
Toni Dew, UWSC Project Manager spoke about the importance of the work done by UWSC volunteers who logged 1,833 hours in FY25! She then presented awards under the category of "Volunteer."
The Volunteer of the Year gives a significant contribution of time (more than 40 hours per year) helping build a stronger and more effective United Way of Sumner County. They demonstrate an unyielding dedication to community service and to improving the lives of others. She then described this year's winner, "She has worked on every special event, every drive, and regularly works around the office doing whatever we need. At the Gala, she was there in the morning helping us get ready and stayed late into the night helping us clean up. She served on our Golf committee, helping raise money, sign up golfers and sponsors . . . and she always asks me 'What’s next?'"
This year's Youth Volunteer of the Year gave 20 hours of volunteer work. She has packed and sorted food, sorted and counted diapers & personal care items for the Mom and Baby care drive, filled campaign bags, counted pledge forms and brochures, and helped roll t-shirts. While working on the United We Feed food drive last fall, this 9-year-old asked intelligent questions about the drive and wanted to know about the people who would benefit from the food boxes. Toni shared, "As we talked about how some families in our community struggle with food insecurity and other basic needs, she got an expression of deep concern and offered to encourage others to collect food for United Way – starting with her own family." The award for FY25 Youth Volunteer of the Year was presented to Anna Jayne Nash.
Two special awards were also given for Community Impact. This is a special recognition given to a very select few who have committed significant time and energy to United Way of Sumner County. These individuals go above and beyond—lifting others up at every turn, improving lives, and empowering our community through service and empathy. They are living examples of what it means to truly make an impact.
The first Community Impact Award was presented to Debbie Sheets who served the students at Hendersonville High School as the STARS senior program manager for more than 30 years. Through STARS, her job was to address mental health issues and help students be able to overcome barriers to learning. While working in the Sumner County schools, she was actually involved with United Way for over 25 years because STARS was a United Way funded agency and she was campaign coordinator for Hendersonville High School. After retiring in 2021, she began sharing her gifts with the community in other ways and began volunteering more with United Way in every aspect of the organization. In FY25, she gave more than 47 hours to United Way of Sumner County.
The second Community Impact Award was presented to Penny Martin, who recently retired from her position as Executive Director of Portland CARES which she helped found as a Help Center in 1992. Under her leadership, it has grown from a small storefront to a 15,000-square-foot facility, providing food, clothing, rent, utility, and prescription assistance to thousands of residents across northern Sumner County. She has faced challenges and heartbreak, but also countless moments of joy. As a leader she has spent hours organizing holiday gifts for children, ensuring families have the help they need, and even stepping aside from funding requests in recent years so other agencies could be supported in times of disaster.
The final award of the morning was for the Company of the Year which embodies the full spirit of our mantra. For this award, companies earn points for their involvement in each category:
- Under GIVE, points are awarded for dollars raised starting at $5,000, for at least 50% employee participation, and for hosting a special fundraising event.
- Under ADVOCATE, points are given for serving on the UWSC Board or Allocations Committee, inviting UWSC staff to speak to employees, leadership involvement, and supporting community drives.
- Under VOLUNTEER, points are awarded for providing event volunteers, serving on committees, helping in the office, or organizing group projects with partner agencies.
To qualify, a company must earn at least one point in each category. The winner is the company with the highest total score—demonstrating excellence in giving, advocating, and volunteering.
This year, only six companies qualified with points in all three categories. They included: Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, Volunteer Bank, and Publix #1141 in Goodlettsville. In 3rd Place was TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center. In 2nd Place, just 3 points shy of the winner, was ITW StampTech Fasteners. And, in 1st Place, the Company of the Year for the 2024/25 Campaign was presented to Servpro Headquarters!
Next, Michelle Groves, UWSC Development Manager shared the 2025 State of ALICE report based on 2023 data, the latest available. She explained that ALICE households are working families who bring in income above the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) but less than the cost of basics for where they live, which often means that, despite their struggles, they often make too much money to qualify for public assistance.
She shared that 39% of Sumner County households (more than 31,000 households) live below the ALICE Threshold, the amount needed to pay for the cost of essentials. Her report included data about groups such as non-white households, young adults, single parents, seniors, and those living in rural areas who experience financial hardship at disproportionate rates. She also showed sample ALICE Household Survival Budgets, talked about salaried vs hourly employees, and shared indicators of well-being such as housing costs burden, access to food and healthcare, and commute times which can help us ask important questions and target resources where they can have the greatest impact.
She concluded by sharing some of the impact the UWSC network of partners has had in making a difference for ALICE families and those living in poverty by providing temporary help with rising housing and utilities costs; groceries and meals to tackle food insecurity; safe affordable options for child care, after school care, and summer camp programs; help in transportation with gas cards or low cost ride options; assistance with prescription medications and free or low cost medical care; plus help for those facing trauma and in times of crisis.
The morning closed with a call to action from Erin Birch, launching the 2025–26 Workplace Giving Campaign. Attendees were encouraged to start or strengthen workplace campaigns, join the 365 Small Business Circle, get involved with community drives, and mark calendars for upcoming events including the Fall Classic Golf Scramble (October 27, 2025) and Gala United (March 27, 2026).
The 2025 Community Impact Breakfast was more than a celebration—it was a rallying point for what we can accomplish together. As we look ahead to the new campaign year, UWSC is committed to continuing this work with our partners and neighbors. Thank you to everyone who invests their time, voice, and resources in building a stronger Sumner County! United is the Way.
Full List of Award Winners:
GIVE Awards
- Most Raised – Multi-Location Companies
- 1st: Sumner County Schools – nearly $147,000
- 2nd: Publix Supermarkets
- 3rd: ITW
- Most Raised – Business
- 1st: Servpro Industries – over $147,000
- 2nd: Gallatin Department of Electricity
- 3rd: The Farmers Bank
- Most Raised – Government
- Winner: City of Gallatin – over $3,200
- Most Raised – Medical
- 1st: HCA Healthcare – over $44,000
- 2nd: TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center
- 3rd: High Point Health Sumner with Ascension St. Thomas
- Most Raised – Manufacturing
- 1st: ITW StampTech Fasteners – over $69,000
- 2nd: Caterpillar
- 3rd: Aladdin Temp-Rite
- Most Raised – Retail
- 1st: Costco Wholesale Warehouse – over $35,000
- 2nd: Publix Store #1141 (Goodlettsville)
- 3rd: Publix Store #119 (Hendersonville)
- Most Raised – Schools/Colleges
- 1st: Madison Creek Elementary School – over $12,000
- 2nd: Gallatin High School
- 3rd: Hendersonville High School
- Most Raised in a Fundraising Event
- 1st: Sumner County Schools Maintenance Department – $33,000 (Vendor Maintenance Fair)
- 2nd: Servpro Headquarters
- 3rd: Madison Creek Elementary
- Overall Top Fundraising Award
- 1st: Servpro Industries – over $147,000
- 2nd: ITW StampTech Fasteners
- 3rd: Publix Charities
- Highest Employee Participation Awards - Business
- 1st: Gallatin Department of Electricity – 80% participation
- 2nd: The Farmers Bank
- 3rd: US Bank
- Highest Employee Participation Awards - Manufacturing
- Winner: ITW StampTech Fasteners – 66% participation
- Highest Employee Participation Awards - Retail
- Winner: Costco Wholesale Warehouse (Hendersonville) – 58% participation
- Highest Employee Participation Awards - Schools/Colleges
- 1st: Madison Creek Elementary School – 100% participation
- 2nd: Oakmont Elementary School
- 3rd: Gallatin High School
- Highest Growth Awards - Business
- 1st: US Bank – 70% growth
- 2nd: Gallatin Department of Electricity
- 3rd: Fifth Third Bank
- Highest Growth Awards - Manufacturing
- 1st: ITW StampTech Fasteners – nearly 31% growth
- 2nd: Aladdin Temp-Rite
- Highest Growth Awards - Medical
- 1st: HCA Healthcare – 25% growth
- 2nd: TriStar Skyline Medical Center
- Highest Growth Awards - Retail
- 1st: Costco Wholesale Warehouse (Hendersonville) – 47% growth
- 2nd: Publix Store #1141 (Goodlettsville)
- Highest Growth Awards - Schools/Colleges
- 1st: Gene Brown Elementary – 66% growth
- 2nd: JW Wiseman Elementary School
- 3rd: White House High School
ADVOCATE Awards
Advocate of the Year: Amy Ramsey
VOLUNTEER Awards
Volunteer of the Year: Pat Conner
Youth Volunteer of the Year: Anna Jayne Nash
Community Impact Awards
Community Impact Award: Debbie Sheets
Community Impact Award: Penny Martin
Company of the Year Award
- Company of the Year:
- 1st place Servpro Headquarters
- 2nd place ITW StampTech Fasteners
- 3rd place TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center