Celebrating Community Champions and Launching the 2026 Campaign
United Way of Midland brought together supporters, businesses, and community partners on September 10th for the 2026 Annual Campaign Kickoff. The evening celebrated the people and organizations making a lasting impact in Midland while marking the start of a new year of community giving.
The celebration provided an opportunity to recognize the generosity, leadership, and service that help move United Way’s mission forward. From coordinating workplace campaigns to advocating for community needs, this year’s award recipients demonstrate the many ways individuals and organizations can help Midland thrive.
Congratulations to our 2026 award recipients:
- Eagle Spirit Award: Henry Resources
- Paul C. Rea LIVE UNITED Award: ExxonMobil
- Outstanding Employee Campaign Coordinator: Leslie Shoemaker
- Community Partner of the Year: SHARE
- Newcomer of the Year: PBX, LLC
- Community Advocate Award: Gretchen Bakke
- Philanthropists of the Year: Deborah Markley & Billy Priebe
Each honoree represents the spirit of partnership and commitment that makes United Way’s work possible. We are grateful for their contributions and the example they set through giving back.
A special thank-you goes to our guest speaker, Heather Bredimus, for sharing her heart, wisdom, and inspiring message. Her words offered a meaningful reminder of the power of purpose, perseverance, and service—and the difference we can make when we put those values into action.
Alongside celebrating these community champions, the evening officially launched United Way of Midland’s 2026 annual campaign. Through workplace campaigns, individual gifts, and community partnerships, we are investing in the people and organizations working every day to strengthen our community. These contributions support United Way’s focus areas of healthy community, youth opportunity, and financial security.
As the campaign moves forward, we invite our community to join us in building on this momentum. Every gift, volunteer hour, and partnership helps United Way of Midland connect people, partnerships, and resources to build a thriving community.
Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate and helped launch another year of giving back and making a lasting, local impact.
We empower. We collaborate. Together, we thrive.