Greater Mankato Area United Way’s Volunteer Awards & Thank You event takes place each February to recognize our volunteers’ commitment to improving people’s lives in our region.
2023 Volunteer Thank You Event
Update 2/20/23: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER
Due to the forecasted winter weather, United Way’s Volunteer Thank You Event originally scheduled for this Thursday, February 23, 2023 has been rescheduled. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to seeing you on the new date: Wednesday, March 29, 2023. (Our weather backup date will be Thursday, March 30.) If you cannot attend, please email Tara at TaraB@mankatounitedway.org. Thank you for your understanding!
NEW DATE: Wednesday, March 29 2023
Check-In Begins: 11:30 AM
Program/Lunch: 12–1 PM
Mankato Playhouse
12 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato, MN 56001
City of Mankato parking information
2023 Volunteer Thank You Event Sponsor:
Previous Volunteer Award Winners
United Way Board Chair:
Kevin Velasquez, Blethen Berens
United Way 2022 Campaign Chair:
Melanie VanRoekel, United Prairie Bank
Volunteer of the Year Award (2):
Shirley Lawrence, retired
Sharon Olsen, retired
Community Impact Volunteer Award:
Steve Weisbecker, Lloyd Management
Community Champion Award (2):
Kaila Vollmer, Navitor Specialty Products
Scott Weilage, Wealth Centers of America
Partner Agency Champion Award:
Brandy Brink, Melinda Keim & Rick Sullivan, Beyond Brink Recovery Housing
Employee Campaign Leader of the Year Award (3):
Regional Sector: Amanda Kolander, Jay Zender State Farm Insurance
Public/Nonprofit Sector: Crystal Olson, Greater Mankato Growth
Private Sector: Carrie Verschelde, Atwood Management
2021 Campaign Chair:
Jessica Blais, Country 103.5 - Alpha Media
Volunteer of the Year Award:
Steve Weisbecker, Lloyd Management
Community Impact Volunteer Award:
Eric Boelter, Community Bank
Community Champion Award:
Kate Cox, Project for Teens
Nate Erickson, Ophthalmology Associates
Partner Agency Champion Award:
Jenny Stratton, Connecting Kids
Employee Campaign Leader of the Year Award:
Private Sector – Rick Sellner, Dotson Iron Castings
Public Sector – Justin Neumann, Mankato Department of Public Safety
Regional Sector – Bill Gronseth, St. Peter Public Schools
Click here to watch our 2021 volunteer recognition videos.
2020 Campaign Chair: Mike Kunkel, CCF Bank
Volunteer of the Year: Matt Norland, Meyer & Norland Financial Group
Community Impact Volunteer of the Year: Justin Neumann, City of Mankato
Community Champion: Tasha O’Hara, (MIO) Mankato Independent Originals
Regional Champion: Diane Beckmann, Thrivent Financial - Waseca
Partner Champion: Ray Brauer, Boy Scouts
Employee Campaign Leader of the Year Public/Nonprofit ECL of the Year: Paul Peterson, District #77
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Private ECLs of the Year: Colin McKissick & Christine Hodges, NIDEC/Kato Engineering
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Regional ECLs of the Year: Brandon Mohr & Kayla Cremers, TBEI
View photos of the 2020 Thank You Luncheon
2019 Campaign Chair: Shane Van Engen, Frandsen Bank & Trust
Volunteers of the Year: Melissa Bradley, Snell Motors & Kevin Velasquez, Blethen Berens
Community Impact Volunteer of the Year: Brianna Kerry, Capstone
Community Champion: Cory Abels, CCF Bank
Partner Champion: Jen Theneman, Partners for Affordable Housing
Employee Campaign Leader of the Year Public/Nonprofit ECL of the Year: Meghan Velasquez, VINE Faith in Action
Employee Campaign Leader of the Year Private ECL of the Year: Katie Dougall, Navitor Specialty Products
Employee Campaign Leader of the Year Regional ECL of the Year: Heather Ahlers, Agropur, Inc.
Board Chair: Kay Wallerich, Wallerich Consulting
2018 Campaign Chair: Eric Boelter, Community Bank
Volunteer of the Year: Jolene Wall, US Bank
Community Impact Volunteer of the Year: Patrick Baker, Greater Mankato Growth
Community Champion: Tonya Hobbie, Bolton & Menk
Partner Champions: Vickie Apel, SMILES & Garry Hart, SMART Transit
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Public/Nonprofit ECL of the Year: Iris Clark, Open Door Health Center
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Private ECLs of the Year: Stephanie Sandey, Navitor & Susan Weingartz, Navitor
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Regional ECL of the Year: JaDee Pals, TBEI
Volunteer of the Year: Lori Benike, SCHEELS
Community Impact Volunteer Award: Trisha Rosenfeld, Xcel Energy
Community Champions: George & Jess, Country 103, Alpha Media
Partner Champion: Cheryl Hamond, Mankato Family YMCA
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Public/Nonprofit ECL of the Year: Barb Macrafic, District #77
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Private ECL of the Year: Mike Kunkel, Pioneer Bank
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Regional ECLs of the Year: Cody Mulcahy & Amy Martius, Cinch in Waseca
Community Impact Volunteer of the Year: Katie Smentek, Mankato Clinic
Community Champion: Jeff Lang (Stunt Monkey), Radio Mankato
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Public/Nonprofit ECL of the Year: Jeff Johnson & his committee, City of Mankato
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Regional ECLs of the Year: Emily Nelson, Round Bank
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Private ECL of the Year: Jeremy Pieper, Ridley
Volunteer of the Year: Jolinda Grabinowski
Volunteer of the Year: Phil Slingsby, SCHEELS