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On Wednesday, one of the state's leading philanthropic families will be honored for its dedication to improving the well being of Utah families when the United Way of Salt Lake presents its 2013 Celebration of Service awards banquet.
The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation will receive the Compassionate Leader of the Year award, joining several other individuals and organizations that will be recognized for their service to the community. The event begins at noon at Little America, 555 S. Main Street, in Salt Lake City. Registration opens at 11:30 a.m.
"The Eccles family name is synonymous with compassion, contribution and service," said Deborah Bayle, president and CEO of United Way of Salt Lake. "With the support of the Eccles Foundation for so many years, we have been able to make monumental strides toward changing the odds for Utah children and families."
The Eccles family has been a generous supporter of the University of Utah and other community organizations and causes, and has provided volunteer support for a variety of agencies.
United Way of Salt Lake also will honor Cecelia Foxley as Volunteer of the Year; Savage as Corporate Partner of the Year; Granite School District as Promise Partner of the Year; and Utah State Senate President Wayne Niederhauser and Sen. Todd Weiler as recipients of the President's Award for Excellence.
Compassionate Leader of the Year • The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation was one of the first organizations to support United Way's new Collective Impact work, making a $100,000 donation for Neighborhood Center support programs. This helped establish the growth of United Way's neighborhood work in Salt Lake, Summit and Davis counties. Last year, the Eccles Foundation also gave $1 million to United Way of Salt Lake's education-related Changing the Odds Campaign.
Volunteer of the Year • Foxley served more than 10 years as commissioner of the Utah System of Higher Education, as well as CEO of the State Board of Regents. She also served on United Way's board of directors and as a member of its Women's Leadership Council. She is a member of United Way's Changing the Odds Campaign steering committee, which last year raised more than $14.5 million.
Corporate Partner of the Year • Savage, which specializes in supply chain management solutions, contributed $1 million to the Changing the Odds Campaign to support strategies that ensure every child succeeds in school. The company also encourages its employees to volunteer and give hands-on support at United Way.
Promise Partner of the Year • Granite School District Granite School District has offered academic, health and basic needs opportunities for children and families in the communities of South Salt Lake, West Valley/Granger and Kearns. Superintendent Martin Bates helped in efforts to offer preschool services to refugee students.
President's Award for Excellence • Sens. Niederhauser and Weiler have helped strengthen the state's 2-1-1 system, the information and referral resource for health and human services. They led a task force that drafted a bill authorizing $250,000 toward the 2-1-1 system.