The nominee need not currently hold a volunteer leadership position with United Way but is someone who exemplifies a coalition builder who fosters partnerships to drive solutions to address our community’s health and human service priorities. United Way is fortunate to receive support from many caring individuals. This makes it difficult to determine one outstanding individual from so many volunteers. But we will do our best with your help. Click here to submit an online nomination for Volunteer of the Year or you may download a PDF and fax it to (216) 436-2257.

Nominations for this award must be submitted by 5 p.m., Friday, January 15, 2010.

Previous Volunteer of the Year Award recipients include:

Dennis M. Chack -- President of The Illuminating Company, is a dedicated volunteer who serves on the Board of Directors Executive Committee and chairs the Marketing Committee. In addition, he is a member of United Way’s Celebrity Golf Tournament committee and he has even won the Tournament a few times.

Robert J. King, Jr. -- Bob King's long-term commitment to United Way is a legacy of caring for our community. He is a long-time United Way volunteer who is committed to this community. He generously donated his time and talent to serve on the United Way Board of Directors Executive Committee, Chair of the Operations Committee and Co-Chair of the 2006 United Way fundraising campaign.

Lois Goodman -- a true champion and advocate for the elderly. Under Lois' leadership, the Senior Success Community Vision Council addressed and found solutions to several critical issues that our community's older adults face. Additionally, she is the President of Work & Family Consulting Group, Inc. where she helps organizations address family and work issues.

Sandra Pianalto and Steve Borstein -- Sandra chairs the Community Investment Division and has served on the United Way Board of Directors Executive Committee for the last ten years. Steve currently chairs the Community Investment Committee and has served on the Board of Directors Executive Committee since 2002. Both have a long and rich history dedicated to United Way and our community.

George M. Humphrey II, president of Extrudex, has served on the United Way Board of Directors for nearly 15 years. In recent years he has donated most of his energy to cultivating the Ten-Plus Society as co-chair of the Ten-Plus Commitee. He has had great impact in the community, especially in resource development for United Way of Greater Cleveland.

Ivan J. Winfield, has dedicated a quarter of a century to volunteering for United Way in Cleveland and Oklahoma. In Cleveland, he played a strategic role in shaping the volunteer board as the Development Chair and was a key contributor to forming the Community Vision Council initiative.

Richard W. Pogue, senior advisor at Dix & Eaton, Inc. and a United Way Life Director and leadership volunteer for more than a decade, is credited with the growth of the Leadership Giving Program and chairing United Way’s first $50 million campaign.

Robert S. Reitman, principal of Riverbend Advisors, strengthened United Way’s designation policy to protect the local safety net of care as part of his many accomplishments as United Way’s first three-term Board Chair and Life Director.

Elaine Rocker, a community activist and volunteer leader for United Way on local and state levels, who was a driving force in what evolved into our First Call For Help, Donated Goods Clearinghouse and Business Volunteers Unlimited.

Eleanor Steigman, a long-time volunteer who has served as board member and officer at many area agencies including United Way, Jewish Community Federation and the AIDS Task Force of Greater Cleveland.

Deborah Zider Read of Thompson, Hine & Flory, who has been involved with United Way for 12 years and was instrumental in the development of a multi-year funding program which has become a model for United Ways nationwide.

For more information about our Volunteer of the Year Award or the nomination process, please e-mail Michelle Battle, Special Events Manager, or phone her at (216) 436-2121.