Nearly 800 United Way volunteers, corporate partners and agency partners joined together to recognize the efforts of individuals and organizations in strengthening our community at the annual United Way Community Celebration held at the Chicago Hilton. The festive luncheon was brought to life by WGN-TV’s Merri Dee, Director of Community Relations who emceed the event. Around Town reporter at WGN Ana Belaval also served as roving reporter gauging reaction from the crowd and building energy and excitement at the Pillar Award winners’ tables.

Among the honorees was Ernst & Young. The company was honored for its generous sponsorship of the Million Dollar Challenge Grant, which encourages new and increased Leadership and Tocqueville giving by matching each gift, dollar for dollar. The company was also distinguished as the #1 Tocqueville Company, counting 72 Tocqueville donors in their organization and giving the largest amount from Tocqueville donors than any other company in the region.

Also at the event, United Way Board Chair Lester McKeever announced United Way is investing a total of $56.5 million into health and human service programs throughout the 238 communities it serves. This year’s community investment will be distributed to more than 350 partner agencies that provide a myriad of health and human services, including early childhood, mentoring and stay in school programs, specialized care for seniors and people with disabilities, temporary food and shelter for the homeless and victims of fires and domestic violence and job placement and retention education for adults.

“United Way provides the leadership and resources it takes to help people become independent,” said McKeever. “We focus on identifying the local health and human services needs and then fund a network of programs or coordinate initiatives that best address the needs in our community.”

United Way also announced the 2007 Top 25 Corporate Citizens of Metropolitan Chicago. The Corporate Citizen Awards honor companies and their employees for contributing the most dollars to United Way through corporate and employee donations and special events. Topping the list this year was Northern Trust, which raised almost $2.7 million, including a corporate gift of $950,000.

“The work we do in our communities could not be accomplished without the deep commitment and support of all our corporate partners, especially Northern Turst,” added McKeever. “These companies and their employees want to make an impact in the community, and they do. We are very lucky to count on their caring and support each year.”

Outgoing 2006 Campaign Co-Chairs Frank Clark, ComEd chairman and CEO, and Pam Strobel, former Exelon chief administrative officer, were also honored for their dedication and leadership during the campaign. The campaign they led was marked by growth across industries, giving levels and geography raising $2.5 million more than the previous year.

Clark also announced the 2007 Campaign chair, Jay Henderson, managing partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

To see some great pictures from this event, please click here.