MANKATO—Greater Mankato Area United Way held its annual Thank You Luncheon & Volunteer Awards on Thursday, February 13 at VINE Adult Community Center.

The event was sponsored by CCFBank.

More than 1,000 community members volunteered with United Way for the 2020 Campaign, serving at events, planning committees, employee campaign rallies and much more.

“You are the hand-raisers and game-changers in our region,” said United Way CEO Barb Kaus. “Thank you for improving people’s lives and building a better tomorrow for all.”

2020 Greater Mankato Area United Way Volunteer Awards

United Way 2020 Campaign Chair: Michael Kunkel, CCFBank

Volunteer of the Year: Matt Norland, Meyer & Norland Financial Group

Community Impact Volunteer Award: Justin Neumann, City of Mankato

United Way Community Champion: Natasha O’Hara, Mankato Independent Originals

United Way Regional Community Champion: Diane Beckmann, Thrivent Financial – Waseca

United Way Partner Champion: Ray Brauer, Boy Scouts Twin Valley Council

Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year:

• Private Sector – Christine Hodges & Colin McKissick, NIDEC/Kato Engineering
• Public Sector – Paul Peterson, District #77
• Regional Sector – Kayla Cremers & Brandon Mohr, TBEI

About Greater Mankato Area United Way:

Greater Mankato Area United Way programs serve more than 50,000 people in Blue Earth, Le Sueur, Nicollet and Waseca counties. In 2020, United Way is supporting 55 programs within 36 agencies through the impact areas of Basic Needs, Health and Education. Visit the United Way website for the full list.