Members of the business community in Webster, Claiborne and Bienville parishes were recognized during a check presentation and luncheon Tuesday for raising approximately $40,000 during the United Way's Workplace Campaign. Businesses honored included McInnis Brothers Construction (above), Gibsland Bank and Trust and Haynes International. Michelle Bates/Press-Herald
Members of the business community in Webster, Claiborne and Bienville parishes were recognized during a check presentation and luncheon Tuesday for raising approximately $40,000 during the United Way’s Workplace Campaign. Businesses honored included McInnis Brothers Construction (above), Gibsland Bank and Trust and Haynes International. Courtesy Photo

This year’s recipients were Career Compass of Louisiana which received $2,500, Northwest Louisiana Food Bank which received $20,000, Project Reclaim of Minden which received $15,000, the United Christian Home which received $5,000 and Webster Council on Aging which received $7,500.

Courtesy Photo Representing Gibsland Bank and Trust, Greg Lee, far left, accepts a plaque in recognition of their efforts to raise money for local nonprofit organizations. He is pictured with United Way's Operations Coordinator Kagnee Veitch and United Way's President and CEO Bruce Willson.
Representing Gibsland Bank and Trust, Greg Lee, far left, accepts a plaque in recognition of their efforts to raise money for local nonprofit organizations. He is pictured with United Way’s Operations Coordinator Kagnee Veitch and United Way’s President and CEO Bruce Willson. Courtesy Photo

Also recognized were the top three companies in the tri-parish area that raised more than $40,000 for United Way. They are: Haynes International, Gibsland Bank and Trust and McInnis Brothers Construction.

Courtesy Photo Ron Anderson accepts a check from United Way's Kagnee Veitch for Project Reclaim. United Way contributed $15,000 to the organization.
Ron Anderson accepts a check from United Way’s Kagnee Veitch for Project Reclaim. United Way contributed $15,000 to the organization. Courtesy Photo

“In 2015, more than 800 companies, businesses and organizations and more than 15,000 individual donors participated in the United Way’s Workplace Campaign, helping to raise over $2.3 million in cash and pledges,” Bruce Willson, president and CEO of United Way of Northwest Louisiana, said.

Courtesy Photo Members of the North Louisiana Food Bank received a donation of $20,000 from United Way of Northwest Louisiana Webster, Claiborne and Bienville. Kagnee Veitch, center, operations coordinator, presented the check.
Members of the North Louisiana Food Bank received a donation of $20,000 from United Way of Northwest Louisiana Webster, Claiborne and Bienville. Kagnee Veitch, center, operations coordinator, presented the check. Courtesy Photo

Lynn Stevens, chief operating officer for United Way of Northwest Louisiana, says the grants were scored by the advisory board comprised of individuals from each parish. They include Ty Pendergrass of Argent Financial, Tammy Jump of the Bienville Parish District Attorney’s Office, Greg Lee of Gibsland Bank and Trust, Ron Anderson of Project Reclaim, Jennifer Spurlock of Minden Medical center, Trey Waller of Living Word of Minden, Mary Ellen Gamble of Claiborne DART, Chuck Meredith of Regions Bank, Garrison Peters of Community First and Minden Mayor Tommy Davis.

Haynes International was recognized as one of the top three companies that helped raise more than $40,000 for local nonprofit organizations. The companies participated in United Way's Workplace Campaign. Courtesy Photo
Haynes International was recognized as one of the top three companies that helped raise more than $40,000 for local nonprofit organizations. The companies participated in United Way’s Workplace Campaign. Courtesy Photo

“Dollars raised in our parishes stay in our parishes to help our neighbors, our friends and our coworkers,” Kagnee Veitch, operations coordinator for the United Way Webster, Bienville and Claiborne Center said.