14-07-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Mile High United Way Announces Five 2025 Community Champions Award Recipients
Mile High United Way Announces Five 2025 Community Champions Award Recipients These Corporate Partners Made Outstanding Contributions to the Community Over the Last Year DENVER – Mile High United Way is pleased to announce the 2025 Community Champion Award recipients. These annual awards recognize Mile High United Way's corporate partners for their outstanding contributions and service to the Metro Denver community. The 2025 winners are: • Champion of Hope Award: CoBank • Spirit of Hope Award: CAC Group • Partner in Service Award: Black & Veatch • Social Impact Award: Comcast • Brian Smith Award for Outstanding Community Leadership: Maureen McDonald, HCA HealthONE 'We are thrilled to highlight the incredible commitment of each of these organizations and individuals. They make Metro Denver a place where all families can thrive. Each Community Champion demonstrates the collective power we have when we thoughtfully and strategically work to create opportunities for all,' said Christine Benero, president and CEO of Mile High United Way. Learn more about each award: The Champion of Hope Award is the highest honor for corporate community involvement in the workplace. The award honors companies that have not only run an outstanding giving campaign but also demonstrated their commitment to the community in comprehensive and tangible ways. Last year, CoBank provided outstanding support through volunteerism and investment in Mile High United Way. CoBank staff attended the 2025 Women United Luncheon, volunteered during the 2024 Day of Caring and assembled 400 basic needs kits for individuals in the community. The Spirit of Hope Award honors companies that have demonstrated their commitment to the community in comprehensive and tangible ways through their new or renewed partnership with Mile High United Way. CAC Group was an incredible partner in their expanded Caring in Action campaign, where employees donated to the causes they care most about. Then, CAC group matched employees' donations. Additionally, employees volunteered with Mile High United Way on CAC Impact Day in September 2024, participated in National Volunteer Week 2025 events and hosted a community spring update. The Partner in Service Award honors outstanding achievement in activating a workforce to create hands-on impact in our community. This award celebrates large one-time days of service, ongoing volunteer engagement throughout the year or new volunteer projects that align with company goals. Black & Veatch showed consistent commitment to our community last year, running supply drives to support our community events, including the 2024 Children's Holiday Party, 2024 Back to School Bash and the 2025 Women United Village. Staff also volunteered at each event, highlighting their commitment to our community. The Social Impact Award recognizes a corporate partner that has embraced corporate social responsibility as part of their community engagement and business strategies. These companies engage with Mile High United Way year-round to inspire employees to give, volunteer, advocate and lead. It can include companies that have launched an innovative program, aligned their community work with their business goals or taken a stance on an important community issue. For more than 25 years, Comcast has supported key initiatives, including our 211 Help Center and United for Business program, and also helped strengthen our community presence through valuable media services, including public service announcements. The Brian Smith Award for Outstanding Community Leadership celebrates an amazing leader who embodies the spirit of philanthropy by volunteering, supporting community efforts, advocating for Mile High United Way through corporate and individual partnerships, and going above and beyond to affect positive change. This year, we are pleased to honor Maureen McDonald, regional AVP of community engagement for the Continental Division of HCA HealthONE. McDonald thoughtfully and strategically responds to community health needs for 11 hospitals across Denver and Wichita, Kan., and supports Mile High United Way as a trustee, Tocqueville Society member and volunteer.
