Staff photo / Ashley Fox Bob Hannon, president of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, addresses nearly 200 people Tuesday during the organization’s annual meeting.

UW recognition awards

• Top new workplace campaign award: West Side Tire and Service Inc.

• Top Foundation Award: Frank and Pearl Gelbman Foundation

• Campaign Leadership Award: Cathy Grimm of Farmers National Bank

• Dedicated Service Award: David Sabine of Huntington Bank, 898 Marketing

• Volunteer Excellence Award: Youngstown State University basketball team, YSU football team

• Rising Star Award: Gabriella Pantelakis of Canfield High School

• Labor Leadership Award: Operating Engineers Local 66

• Adopt A School Champion: The DeBartolo Foundation, Huntington Bank, Gloria Jones and Fireline Inc. in memory of Roger D. Jones, Southwoods Health and Chris and Ed Muransky, Andrews Foundation

• Adopt a School Partners: Aim Transportation Solutions, Farmers National Bank

• Parker McHenry Board of Excellence Award: Ted Schmidt of PNC Bank

POLAND — Although 2020 was a difficult year for many, residents of the Mahoning Valley stepped up to help one another.

Nearly 200 people attended the annual meeting for United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley on Tuesday at the Lake Club in Poland.

The luncheon was a celebration for the organization, which canceled its 2020 meeting in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and an opportunity to shine light on last year as a near-record year in donations.

United Way raised $3,389,482 in 2020, President Bob Hannon, said. That is the second-highest amount of fundraising in the organization’s 101-year tenure in the Valley, he said.

The record year was the year prior — the centennial year — when $3.4 million was raised.

About $700,000 was raised for COVID-19-related purposes.

“For us to have almost 200 people, it tells me a couple of things. The community is engaged in our work, and people are ready to get out,” Hannon said.

Volunteers, corporate sponsors and board members attended the luncheon. “It’s our opportunity to thank them and celebrate them,” he said.

This year, Hannon said he anticipates fundraising efforts to at least match $3 million. “Our community is very generous. I would never underestimate the power of the Valley,” he said.

Roxann Sebest, director of marketing and communications, expressed gratitude not only to sponsors and volunteers, but also for the ability to have an in-person meeting.

“I am so happy that we can be here together, live, in-person, to recognize these organizations and individuals,” she said.

“For the past year, it really seemed like the world stood still,” she said.

While everything seemingly froze, United Way kept working to support its 36 agencies, Hannon said.

The COVID-19 response fund had monies set aside specifically for pandemic-related needs, including $125,000 in grocery-store gift cards that went to students, identified by their schools, so they could get food when school wasn’t in session.

The pandemic provided an opportunity for community members to see and understand what United Way does, Hannon said.

United Way supports families and children to face the greatest challenges in their community, through school programs and ensuring people have access to food, for example, he said.

“I really feel like United Ways are built to lead during a crisis” through collaboration and convening, he said.