Individual awards include the Edward C. Brisley Jr. Award, the Rob and Ginger Cranford Community Service Award, and the Positive Momentum Award. The Brisley Award was named to honor a former Executive Director and is an opportunity for United Way staff to recognize a member of the community for outstanding volunteer service to UWHC. This year’s Brisley Award is presented to Michelle Tracz, CPA, in gratitude for her generous volunteer support from board and committee service, to volunteering for impact days, to providing her expertise as UWHC grew and expanded to create Henderson County’s Disaster Recovery Partnership.

The Cranford Award was instituted in 2010 in memory of one of the community’s most generous couples. It is nominated by the UWHC Board of Directors and awarded to a Henderson County resident or couple in recognition of outstanding contributions to the people of Henderson County. This year’s recipients of the award are Rev. Anthony & Kimbela McMinn. Anthony has led the Hendersonville Rescue Mission for over 30 years and 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 was created to highlight the monumental achievement of two local neighbors who took an idea, created a community of partnerships, and committed themselves to bringing their vision to reality by creating Bikes 4 Kids NC. The Positive Momentum Award is presented to Greg & Michelle Reynolds in recognition of transformational community impact through Bikes 4 Kids. This collaborative local initiative has gained momentum each year and donated more than 200 new bikes with helmets to children in Henderson County in 2025. The fundraiser for the 2026 holiday season is underway and information about how to participate can be found at bikes4kidsnc.org.

Three awards are presented to companies that excel in providing support for the wider community through employee and corporate giving. The Premier Cornerstone Award is presented to Wilsonart in recognition of the highest employee contributions to United Way. Wilsonart has achieved this accomplishment year after year thanks to outstanding leadership and employee dedication to supporting their community. “At Wilsonart, we believe strong communities are built by people who show up for one another,” shared Tammy Albrecht, Director of Operations, Wilsonart. “To be recognized with the Premier Cornerstone Award reflects our employees' generosity and their commitment to making a meaningful difference for our neighbors. We are truly honored." 

The Power of Partnership Award is presented to Cummins in recognition of outstanding corporate and employee contributions. Stemming from a long history of philanthropic support by Meritor, our local Cummins plant has reaffirmed its commitment to the people of Henderson County through employee giving, a corporate match, and volunteering.

The Community Champion Award celebrates the highest overall impact in our community through United Way. This award is presented to Kimberly-Clark Berkeley Mills for the many ways that they join 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,” said Eric Postle, Plant Manager, Berkeley Plant. “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 Community Champion Award recognizes the collective impact we can achieve when we come together to care for our community.”

Collectively, these individuals and organizations are making a lasting impact on the human condition of Henderson County residents every day. The awards will be presented at UWHC’s Community Impact Celebration at Southern Appalachian Brewery on October 13th.   

Source: United Way.