The Jim Barrett Community Leadership Award went to Dr. Memo Diriker.

United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore celebrated the generosity of community members at the 73rd Annual Meeting and Community Leaders Celebration held Friday at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

More than 300 community members and 150 organizations and companies representing Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset and Dorchester counties attended, providing United Way an opportunity to recognize members of the community who exhibit exceptional generosity for Lower Shore residents in need.

Dana Seiler was the recipient of the President's Trophy.

Highlights of the meeting included: The official announcement of United Way surpassing the 2017 Campaign goal, raising a record-breaking almost $2.5 million, an awards ceremony honoring volunteers and outstanding service, and the installation of incoming United Way Board of Directors.

“Generosity is at the heart of the hundreds of local companies and individuals who support their community through our United Way,” said incoming United Way Board Chair Dana Seiler.

“Giving children the opportunity to learn and improve their reading skills, bringing awareness to the opioid epidemic, and helping families succeed during difficult times, the impact these donations of hard-earned dollars have across the lower shore are far greater than we can ever imagine,” Seiler said.

The Flame of Excellence Award went to Wicomico County Public Schools, represented by Dr. Donna Hanlin and Mark Thompson.

Now in its 74th year, United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore continues to be the largest nongovernmental source of funding for 80 critical programs in Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset and Dorchester counties.

United Way helps Eastern Shore residents obtain Educational Success by reducing the achievement gap between low and middle income students, Financial Stability by advancing the economic security of families and individuals in our community, and Good Health by improving access to and awareness of local health and wellness services. In 2017, United Way provided over $1.4 million to community programs and helped to change the lives of over 84,000 individuals.

2017 United Way Award Recipients

2017 County Campaign Coordinators of the Year

• Wicomico -- Katherine Hairsine, Pohanka Automotive Group
• Worcester -- Eric Lagstrom, Town of Ocean City
• Somerset -- Somerset County Public Schools Campaign Team
• Dorchester -- Sandra Tripp-Jones & Kathy Foster, City of Cambridge

2017 County Volunteers of the Year

• Wicomico  -- Beth Reid, Healogics Wound Care at Peninsula Regional Medical Center
• Worcester -- Cole Taustin, BLU Crabhouse & Raw Bar and Embers Restaurant
• Somerset  -- Cortney Monar, Princess Anne Elementary
• Dorchester -- Brad Sutliffe, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and Dean Goodwin, RPS ISG International

Women United Volunteer of the Year -- Lois Hartstein

Emerging Leader of the Year -- Michelle Sadler, Perdue Farms

Salisbury University Student United Way Volunteer of the Year -- Eleanor Brown

Wor-Wic Community College Student United Way Volunteer of the Year -- Cory Davis

Flame of Excellence Award -- Wicomico County Public Schools

Heart of United Way -- Jennifer Cannon and Amy Wingate, Perdue Farms

President’s Trophy  -- Dana Seiler, Vantage Point Solutions Group

Spirit of the Shore Award -- Salisbury University

Jim Barrett Community Leadership Award  -- Memo Diriker, BEACON at Salisbury University