During the campaigns staged by the United Way of the Bradford Area this past year, Christy Graham often recruited her family members as volunteers — and Jessica Jarrett-McKeirnan pulled up her sleeves and made gallons of soup for a fundraiser.

Both women were honored for their efforts in helping the United Way during the 2021 Red Feather Volunteer Recognition and Report to the Community celebration. The event, held Thursday at the Bradford Club, honored Graham with the 2019-20 Red Feather award and Jarrett-McKeirnan with the Excellence in Representation award. Also honored with the inaugural 2020 Small Business award was SERVCO Services Inc.

Sarah Lonzi, executive director of the United Way, opened the ceremonies by thanking all who have supported the agency during the challenges of the pandemic.

“While this pandemic has reared its ugly head across the globe, I have found one thing to hold true” and that has been the support of the United Way by the community, she said. “Together, our community can do more and will do more.”

Lonzi then thanked all of the donors and volunteers who helped with the “Believe in Tomorrow” campaign led by chairs Eric, Suzi and Leo Marasco as well as Kelsey Obermeyer and Michele Skaggs.

“Because of your generosity and activism, our agency has been able to help fund over 20 local programs covering all spectrums and generations,” Lonzi stated.

It was noted in the United Way annual report that in Bradford the agency raised $277,587; while in Port Allegany the amount was $18,460; and in Smethport, $11,609.

In introducing Graham, an employee of Northwest Bank, Lonzi said the honoree had served previously as the campaign chair as well as volunteered her time for the agency.

“She has been an absolute beacon for the United Way for the past several years,” Lonzi said of Graham. “You can find her cooking for hours in the kitchen during pig roast day, packing dozens of lunch bags for the soup lunch or calling me directly at the United Way office just to see what she can do during campaign season.”

In her comments, Graham expressed gratitude in receiving the award and noted it was a great honor.

“I’m very proud to stand among so many who have been awarded this” previously, she said, while adding her children and family have been “good sports” in helping the United Way as volunteers.

“It may be last-minute (requests for help) but they’re always right there,” she said of her family’s help. Graham added that she doesn’t help the agency for the recognition, instead she wants to be a good role model for her children. In addition, the gratitude of those helped by the United Way has inspired her.

“It’s a very eye-opening experience,” Graham remarked. “You don’t realize how many people have benefitted from these dollars.”

Lonzi then introduced Jarrett-McKeirnan, program coordinator of Meals on Wheels, one of the agencies helped by the United Way.

Lonzi said Jarrett-McKeirnan endeared herself to the agency when, during a last-minute request, she prepared gallons of soup for the soup lunch fundraiser.

“This means so much to me,” Jarrett-McKeirnan said in accepting the award. “I love my job and what we do … we would not be able to do it without the United Way.”

Serving as guest speaker was David Livingston, executive director of Destinations-Bradford, which helps the needy with a variety of services and is funded by the United Way.

“At the beginning of this pandemic, there was a lot of confusion, a lot of struggle and a lot of strife,” Livingston recalled. “One of the very first phone calls we received was from (Lonzi)” who inquired what help was needed to assist Destinations with its services and food pantry. Livingston said the United Way funds not only helped Destinations assist the needy, but expand.

“Without (the United Way) support we would not be able to do this,” Livingston admitted. ”If I had to use a word for what the United Way has done for this area, it’s love.”

Closing remarks were provided by Jodie Wagner, board president, who also thanked everyone involved with the United Way during the pandemic when there was so much need. She said the agency wasn’t certain about conducting a campaign during the pandemic, but decided to do so anyway.

“We said ‘You know what, we’re going to do this because our community and these agencies need us,’” Wagner shared. “We thought outside the box and came up with super creative ways to do things, like virtual paint nights and different things we never thought of before.”

For more information on the United Way annual report, funded agencies or directors, visit uwbanews.org online.