News

United Way announces top awards for service, giving

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 16, 2026

A longtime volunteer, a couple who have been community leaders for many years, a young mom and dad who started a bike safety program for children and three manufacturing plants are this year's winners of the  Henderson County United Way's distinguished service awards.

“We have the honor of recognizing these outstanding organizations and individuals whose commitment, generosity, and leadership inspire and create a positive impact within our community,” United Way Executive Director Kat Carlton said. “These award recipients are shining examples of community and collaboration, two essential building blocks of our work to organize and mobilize community resources to improve lives of Henderson County residents.”

The Edward C. Brisley Jr. Award, named for a former executive director, honors a member of the community for outstanding volunteer service to UWHC. This year’s Brisley Award is presented to Michelle Tracz, a CPA, in gratitude for her generous volunteer support from board and committee service, to volunteering in impact days to lending her expertise to the ccanfordreation of the county’s Disaster Recovery Partnership.

The Rob and Ginger Cranford Community Service Award, instituted in 2010 in memory of one of the community’s most generous couples, is awarded to a Henderson County resident or couple in recognition of outstanding contributions countywide. This year’s recipients of the award are the Rev. Anthony McMinn and Kimbela McMinn. Anthony has led the Hendersonville Rescue Mission for more than 30 years. Kimbela has served on multiple local nonprofit boards, participates in UWHC’s Women United leadership affinity group and provides support and leadership to several other local community groups.

The Positive Momentum Award honors Greg and Michelle Reynolds in recognition of their founding of Bikes 4 Kids, a collaborative local initiative that donated more than 200 new bikes and helmets to children in Henderson County in 2025. The fundraiser for the 2026 holiday season is underway; information about how to participate can be found at bikes4kidsnc.org.

Three awards will be presented to companies that excel in providing support for the wider community through employee and corporate giving:

• The Premier Cornerstone Award goes to Wilsonart in recognition of the highest employee contributions to United Way. Wilsonart has achieved the accomplishment year after year thanks to outstanding leadership and employee dedication to supporting their community.
• The Power of Partnership Award is to be presented to the Cummins-Meritor plant in recognition of outstanding corporate and employee contributions. The plant has reaffirmed its commitment to the people of Henderson County through employee giving, a corporate match and volunteering.
• The Community Champion Award, celebrating the highest overall impact in the community through United Way, honors the Kimberly-Clark Berkeley Mills plant for the many ways that it joins forces to give back to their community, including volunteering, employee giving, corporate support, an annual golf tournament and product donations to support Henderson County nonprofits. "At Kimberly-Clark, our purpose is Better Care for a Better World, and this award is a powerful reflection of that commitment in action,” plant manager Eric Postle said. “I am incredibly proud of our Berkeley team for the way they support United Way of Henderson County through their generosity, volunteerism, and dedication to making a difference."

The awards will be presented at the United Way's Community Impact Celebration at Southern Appalachian Brewery on Oct. 13. The community is invited. To learn more, visit liveunitedhc.org/events.