San Bernardino – Over 340 community members gathered at the National Orange Show for Arrowhead United Way’s (AUW) Annual Meeting and Awards Breakfast to recognize some of the community’s most valued donors and volunteers.

The annual meeting is a time for AUW to thank the members of the community that have contributed greatly to the organization’s efforts in supporting the community.  The major award recipients included Wells Fargo, San Bernardino City Unified School District, UPS, City of San

Bernardino, Patton State Hospital, Costco, VNA & Hospice of Southern California, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Community Hospital of San Bernardino.

A special award was given to McLane Southern California.  The Community Leadership Award recognized McLane for their significant contributions to the community.  They provided over $570,000 in food that AUW distributed to agencies that feed the homeless and less fortunate.  This effort was on top of their corporate gift and successful employee giving campaign.

AUW’s board chair, Debbie Barrera, President/CEO, San Bernardino School Employees Federal Credit Union, highlighted some of AUW’s newer initiatives that focus on helping underserved and disadvantaged young women in the community, educating parents on ways to engage their preschool children, and providing free health education workshops for the community.

Ms. Barrera also took a moment to mention that AUW has been selected to participate in the National Performance Excellence Group on Early Grad Reading.  She said, “Poor reading ability in the early grades is clearly linked to high school dropout…we plan to address these challenges through new partnerships, engaging volunteers and mentors, and bringing other resources together.”

As part of the event, new AUW board members were elected.  They include: Javier Gutierrez, Gresham, Savage, Nolan & Tilden; Beth Higbee, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools; and Brian Townsend, Precinct Reporter.  Outgoing board members were also recognized and thanked for their service.  They include: Mike Conrad, City of San Bernardino Fire Department; Kevin Lang, Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center; Dennis Mobley, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools; Patrick Spafford, CPA, Powell & Spafford, LLP; and Matt Wilcox, Gresham, Savage, Nolan & Tilden.

AUW is a volunteer driven organization that actively supports health and human services by focusing on education, income, and health.  These services address the underlying causes of the community’s issues and create lasting change. The organization was established in 1891 and is led by prominent respected community leaders; it is one of the oldest United Ways in the country.

AUW encourages individuals to become more involved in the community by giving, advocating, and volunteering.  For more information about how to become involved with AUW, please call (909) 884-9441 or visit www.ArrowheadUnitedWay.org.