United Way Honors Regional Leaders for Community Commitment

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ) has named the Norcross family the recipients of its prestigious John C. Haas Regional Champion Medal, recognized Comcast NBCUniversal with its annual Award for Excellence and named J. Gordon Cooney, Jr. of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP Volunteer of the Year in southeastern Pennsylvania.

"We are honored to recognize the Norcross family, Comcast NBCUniversal, and Gordon for generously giving their time, talent and treasure to support our United Way," said Jim Cawley, president and CEO of UWGPSNJ. "With the help of our community and corporate partners, more of our neighbors in need have the opportunity for a brighter future. Together, we're changing lives and strengthening our communities – one child, one adult and one family at a time."

The Haas Medal recognizes UWGPSNJ's strongest regional volunteer leaders, whose commitment to United Way's mission embodies the spirit of the late John C. Haas, legendary philanthropist and longtime champion of United Way. The Norcross family's commitment to service began decades ago with the late George Norcross, Jr., who was chair of the former United Way of Camden County. The family has continued his legacy of volunteerism, including his sons, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross, former Camden County local board chair and volunteer for 20+ years; George Norcross, III, prominent South Jersey community leader and leading proponent of revitalization efforts in some of Camden's most impoverished neighborhoods; Phil Norcross, UWGPSNJ regional and local board member; and Corey Norcross, who joined the Camden County local Board to fill the seat of her father Donald when he was elected to Congress.  

Comcast NBCUniversal, recipient of the 2014-15 Award for Excellence, serves as a model of corporate citizenship, demonstrating an outstanding commitment to advancing United Way's work. Their employees contributed more than $7 million nationwide to the 2014-15 United Way campaign, and local employees contributed $1.7 million, including more than $781,000 to United Way's Impact Fund. Comcast employees also log thousands of volunteer hours each year to improve local communities around the country. Comcast employees also volunteer their leadership: Karen Dougherty Buchholz, senior vice president, Administration, Comcast Corporation and Charisse R. Lillie, vice president, Community Investment, Comcast Corporation and president, Comcast Foundation, co-chaired UWGPSNJ's 2014-15 regional Campaign Cabinet. 

J. Gordon Cooney, Jr., partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and 2014-15 Volunteer of the Year in southeastern Pennsylvania, serves as an active member of United Way's regional Board of Directors and chairs its Impact Strategy Committee. He has also served as chair of the annual campaign and on the Resource Development Strategy Committee and has led strategic initiatives designed to help United Way drive continuous Impact throughout the region. He is a longtime member of United Way's Tocqueville Society and a tireless advocate for its Impact Fund.

"We are grateful for the support of this dynamic group of United Way champions," said Mindy Holman, chair of Holman Automotive Group, Inc. and chair of UWGPSNJ's regional Board of Directors. "Their leadership and generosity is what allows us to drive Impact in our communities that really makes a difference."

Through the Impact Fund, UWGPSNJ paves the way for more high school graduates, empowers working adults to earn more and save more, creates healthier communities for all, and helps the region's most vulnerable residents meet their basic needs. For more information, visit www.UnitedForImpact.org.

SOURCE United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey

Related Links

http://www.UnitedForImpact.org