United Way of Central Indiana recognizes four companies with the prestigious Spirit United Award

Four companies earned the top prize – the Spirit United Award – for exceptional volunteer and financial support of United Way of Central Indiana today during United Way’s Annual Meeting at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in front of a crowd of 900 people.

Spirit United is the most prestigious company award, celebrating companies that have consistently supported and generously donated to United Way of Central Indiana. A Spirit United award winner knows it takes more than giving to improve our community, it takes volunteering and advocating too! The 2016 Spirit United Award Winners are:  Cummins, Inc., Deloitte, KAR Auction Services and Gregory & Appel Insurance.

Cummins, Inc.

Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service diesel and natural gas engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Cummins is a strong advocate on a variety of issues in Central Indiana.  Throughout the last several years, the company has focused on work associated with On My Way Pre-K. Cummins has been a leader in advocating for the expansion of pre-k in the State of Indiana at both the local and State level including Cummins Vice President Mary Chandler vocally advocating at both the State Senate and House of Representatives. Cummins has supported the funding of On My Way Pre-K in Central Indiana with financial gifts of around $1,000,000. In addition to advocating for On My Way Pre-K Cummins has supported United Way of Central Indiana in basic needs, health, education and financial stability through 80% participation in their workplace fundraising efforts.

Deloitte

Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries offer clients a broad range of fully integrated services in areas that include accounting, assurance and advisory, risk, tax, management, financial, technology, and human capital consulting. Deloitte has been an incredible partner with United Way and has seen consistent growth in donations over the last four years. The company continually shows their support of United Way, strives to increase donations and has great support from Leadership. In 2016, Deloitte deepened their partnership with United Way by engaging their young leaders in the LINC program where they packed homeless kits for veterans associated with United Way’s partner agency, HVAF. For several years Deloitte has consistently been recognized in the top 100 companies for dollars raised for United Way of Central Indiana.

KAR Auction Services

KAR Auction Services (NYSE: KAR) provides sellers and buyers across the global wholesale used-vehicle industry with innovative, technology-driven remarketing solutions. In 2016 KAR Auction Services engaged in several activities to ensure that United Way was at the top of mind for their team members. Through engaging their employees in fun activities such as Car Karaoke and Homeless Kit builds, which benefited the community, United Way engagement was at an all-time high. With strong leadership, KAR exceeded their fundraising goal by 43%. Additionally, KAR’s two local offices hosted a two-week #LiveUnited campaign of activities to engage and educate employees about the impact of their donations. To bring employees closer to the community need, KAR set up a volunteer opportunity for employees to assemble 2-1-1 kits for people who are homeless.

Gregory & Appel Insurance

Gregory & Appel Insurance is a fiercely independent risk management advisor, proactively guiding people and businesses through the complexities of insurance and employee benefits with smart, future-focused solutions. The 130 employee-strong team at Gregory & Appel Insurance is heavily engaged in the community, and United Way has been a vehicle for their community involvement over the last decade. The company has been a consistent recipient of the “Company that Cares” award, and regularly works with United Way to coordinate volunteer projects. In 2016, Gregory & Appel experienced a poverty simulation facilitated by United Way. Their heavy involvement with United Way’s ReadUP program is the pinnacle of their United Way engagement, with 13 active ReadUP tutors who work with IPS Washington Irving School #14 students.