Shining a Light on Community Champions 2025–26 Campaign Season
Our impact this past year is made possible because of the passion and generosity of our community. Across West Michigan, individuals and organizations of all kinds step up every year to create change — from the boardroom to the classroom, from community centers to media platforms.
United Partner of the Year Award
We are proud to recognize Haworth as our 2025 United Partner of the Year.
This award honors a top workplace partner that has demonstrated growth, engagement, and commitment to United Way's mission, while engaging in impactful collaboration throughout the year.
In 2025, Haworth
significantly increased both employee giving and corporate support
expanded volunteer engagement and leadership involvement
participated in Stuff the Bus and Operation United expanding the impact of those programs into our lakeshore communities
The Haworth team also partnered with United Way to create meaningful volunteer experiences during their Global Sales Conference. Hundreds of their team members mobilized into groups and took on dozens of service projects in West Michigan.
We were honored to partner with them and connect their volunteer teams to agencies doing important work in our community. Bringing people together
to take action is what we do best. When we mobilize partners, volunteers, and nonprofits, real impact happens.
Haworth has been an invaluable partner. Their willingness to engage, collaborate, and invest in the communities they serve exemplifies the spirit of this award. We are grateful for Haworth's partnership and excited about what the future holds as we continue this important work together.
Neighborhood Hero Award
This award honors a partner whose year-round commitment to volunteerism, leadership, and community engagement helps create meaningful impact throughout our region.
As one of our top workplace campaign partners, Meijer continues to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to strengthening local communities through both financial support and hands-on involvement. In addition to supporting key United Way programming through corporate grants, Meijer sponsored and participated in Operation United through its M-Vets team, supported our Stuff the Bus school supply drive, and helped connect our organization with their business-to-business team to enhance product sourcing and maximize community impact. Not only is Meijer a valued workplace campaign partner, they have been an essential contributor to the growth and success of our Volunteer Center initiatives. We are grateful for their continued leadership, partnership, and dedication to making a difference across West Michigan.
Innovative Engagement Award
This award honors a partner that goes above and beyond to elevate their impact through creative engagement, leadership, and support of community initiatives.
For several years, West Pharmaceutical Services has been a dedicated participant in our Stuff the Bus school supply drive, transforming an annual engagement opportunity into an extraordinary display of community impact. Through strong internal coordination, employee recruitment, leadership involvement, and a commitment to maximizing participation, their team has consistently demonstrated how collective effort can make a meaningful difference for local students and schools. We are grateful for West Pharma's continued partnership and the example they set for innovative and impactful community engagement.
Torchbearer Award
Steve Bosscher
This award honors an individual who carries our mission forward through leadership, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to strengthening our community.
Over the past four years, Steve has been a dedicated member of our Campaign Cabinet, most recently serving as Chair. Throughout his tenure, he has been a tireless champion for United Way, helping strengthen Mercantile Bank's partnership, opening doors to new community leaders and businesses, and actively promoting our mission throughout West Michigan. Steve's impact extends far beyond fundraising. Whether attending United Way events, mentoring staff, providing strategic guidance, or encouraging others to get involved, he consistently leads by example and inspires those around him to serve. His long-term commitment, influence, and passion for giving back embody the spirit of the Torchbearer Award, and we are grateful for the leadership and partnership he continues to provide.
Emblem of Support Award
This award honors a workplace partner that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to United Way's mission through fundraising, volunteerism, and year-round community engagement.
What truly sets Berger Chevrolet apart is how they've made community investment a signature part of their company identity. Alongside their stong workplace campaign and volunteer efforts, their team finds innovative ways to amplify their impact. Their summer food truck luncheon series spotlights local nonprofit agencies, engages employees in giving and in-kind collection, and includes a full employee match on all contributions to the featured organization — ensuring every dollar reaches further into the community. One luncheon each season is dedicated to Stuff the Bus, turning a company lunch hour into a back-to-school resource drive that helps West Michigan kids start the school year ready to learn. Fox17's recurring "Berger Gives Back" segments amplify that impact beyond their walls, bringing regional visibility to the families and organizations being supported and inspiring other businesses to follow their lead.
That ripple effect matters. When a company like Berger shows up consistently — across campaigns, volunteer days, in-kind drives, and community events — it strengthens the entire ecosystem that keeps West Michigan families stable. Their partnership helps ensure that the working families in our community who are one emergency away from a crisis have the resources and support they need to stay on solid ground.
Berger Chevrolet doesn't just support United Way — they set the standard for what a local partnership can be. We are grateful for their generosity, their consistency, and their genuine investment in the people who make this community run.
Defender of Tomorrow Award
Nate Phillips
This award honors an individual whose exceptional commitment to volunteerism, leadership, and service helps create a stronger future for our community.
As a member of our Board of Directors and Campaign Cabinet, Nate has been a driving force behind the continued growth and success of Operation United. Over the past two years, he has leveraged his role as Assistant Business Manager for West Michigan Plumbers, Fitters and Service Trades Local Union No. 174 to engage more than 100 skilled volunteers in support of local veterans. His leadership has expanded the scope and impact of the program, allowing us to provide more comprehensive support while creating new opportunities for growth and innovation. Beyond recruiting volunteers, Nate has coordinated complex logistics, helped secure sponsorship support, and dedicated countless hours of his own time to ensure the success of each project. In many ways, Operation United has become a year-round commitment for Nate, and his passion for serving those who have served our country embodies the very spirit of this award.
Workplace Coordinator of the Year
Abi Beltzer
Abi Beltzer embodies what it means to lead with purpose and heart. As this year’s Workplace Coordinator of the Year, she led Bissell’s partnership and continued to fuel their culture of generosity. Whether it was spreading awareness through snack and learns and impact tours or rallying the team around Day of Caring and Stuff the Sled, Abi created intentional, engaging, and deeply impactful opportunities that showcased her true passion for the community. Through her creativity, enthusiasm, and unwavering commitment to West Michigan and the Bissell partnership, Abi inspired her colleagues to give, volunteer, and make a difference for our neighbors. Her dedication highlighted that when people unite around a shared purpose, extraordinary things happen. Abi’s passion for creating lasting change have made an immeasurable impact, and we are honored to celebrate her outstanding efforts with this award.
Advocate of the Year
Aide Cedillo
Aide is a passionate advocate for Heart of West Michigan United Way and the neighbors it serves. She believes that real change happens when people come together, and she leads by example through her commitment to giving her time, talent, and treasure to strengthen the community.
From organizing a workplace campaign and events that raised over $900,000 for the community to recruiting over 340 Steelcase volunteers to give their time for Day of Caring. Aide also encouraged and planned the first Campaign Round Table Event last July, allowing business leaders to come together and share ideas and thoughts on increasing giving and engagement within their companies.
Aide consistently uses her voice and leadership to create opportunities for families across West Michigan. Her compassion, dedication, and belief in collective impact have inspired countless others to join the mission of building a thriving community for all.
Years Forward Award
The Years Forward Award recognizes individuals whose legacy embodies the spirit of United Way. We look forward to revealing this year's honorees and celebrating the lasting impact they have made on our community.
These honorees represent the best of what it means to lead with purpose and generosity
Their commitment, compassion, and action remind us that lasting change happens when people come together to invest in one another and build a stronger West Michigan where everyone can thrive.