United Way Presents Its Highest Honors to Regional Champions

Wm. Scott Magargee III named recipient of the John C. Haas Regional Champion Medal; TD Bank, N.A. receives 2012 Vanguard Award for Excellence

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ) is pleased to announce the recipients of its top regional honors for the first time as a new organization. Wm. Scott Magargee, III of counsel at Dechert, LLP, has received the John C. Haas Regional Champion Medal, while TD Bank, N.A. has been honored with the 2012 Vanguard Award for Excellence.

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Since 2007, the Haas Medal has been awarded to a distinguished leader from the Greater Philadelphia region whose commitment to United Way's mission embodies the spirit of the late John C. Haas, legendary philanthropist and longtime champion of the organization's mission. Like Haas, Magargee has been a tireless advocate for United Way and played a key role in guiding the merger process that saw seven local United Ways join forces to become UWGPSNJ last year.

"Scott was instrumental in helping us successfully navigate the long and sometimes complicated process of creating one regional United Way committed to creating lasting change in this community, and he shares our belief that only when we work together can we drive measurable, lasting impact," said Jill Michal, UWGPSNJ president and CEO. "He has also been a passionate supporter of our early childhood education initiatives and the work we do to help underserved youth stay on track to succeed in school."

First presented to PECO in 2012, the Vanguard Award for Excellence is presented to a corporation that demonstrates a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility and understands the value of giving back to the community. Over the years, TD Bank has served as a model of corporate citizenship throughout the region and has worked with United Way to advance its work in the areas of Education, Income and Health. During the last year, TD Bank employees raised nearly $1.2 million through United Way's annual campaign, a 25 percent increase from the 2011-12 campaign.  TD Bank was also recognized for its work in local communities, receiving the LIVE UNITED Partner of the Year Award and LIVE UNITED Advocate of the Year Award from UWGPSNJ in Burlington County and Camden County, respectively.

"TD Bank is an example of how impactful one company can be to an entire region, from a financial perspective as well as from an engagement perspective," Michal said. "There was an exemplary level of leadership engagement on our local operating boards, our regional board and our Campaign Cabinet. The company's leadership has truly led the way, inspiring employees at all levels to give their time, talent and resources to help us address the challenges faced by far too many in our region."

Lon Greenberg, chairman of the board at UGI Corporation and chair of United Way's Regional Board of Directors, said both Magargee and TD Bank are deserving of the honors.

"Scott's commitment to our merger is what allows us to pursue our Impact agenda in a way that benefits not only local communities but also connects across county lines to lift the region overall," Greenberg said. "And TD Bank has been an amazing corporate partner, with a commitment to strengthening our communities matched only by the generosity of its team."

About United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, serving communities in Pennsylvania's Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and New Jersey's Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May and Cumberland counties, is part of a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and in people's lives. United Way engages the community to identify the underlying causes of the most significant local issues, develops strategies and pulls together financial and human resources to address them, and measures the results. United Way is advancing the common good in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey by positively impacting the lives of people throughout the region in the areas of education, income, and health. For more information about United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey visit www.UnitedForImpact.org.

SOURCE United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey