$2.3 Million Raised in 2015 by more than 600 Companies
United Way of Northwest Louisiana hosted the Annual Celebration on February 25th at Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino. Many local companies were recognized for their support, including Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino who was awarded the LIVE UNITED Award. Local philanthropist O. Delton Harrison, Jr. was honored with the Clyde E. Fant Memorial Award.
The 2015 United Way Campaign raised $2.3M and more than 75,000 lives were impacted by programs funded through donated dollars. Companies and individuals who participated in the 2015 campaign were recognized for their outstanding service and philanthropy. The Top Ten Partners who raised more than $650,000 were:
- AEP Swepco & IBEW Local 329
- Calumet Shreveport Lubricants and Waxes
- Centerpoint Energy
- Caddo Parish Schools
- Enterprise Holdings
- International Paper
- Libbey Glass
- Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino
- Volunteers of America
- Zachry Group
Companies that raise the most dollars based on the number of employees are Diamond Level Award Winners. The number of employees is grouped by greater than 250, 100-249, 50-99, and up to 49. The winners were:
- AEP Swepco & IBEW Local 329
- McElroy Metal
- Heard, McElroy & Vestal
- Kinsey Interests
Companies that have the largest increase in total campaign donations over their last year results are Movers and Shakers. Five awards were given based on the number of employees. The winners were:
- Willis Knighton Health Systems
- Ethan Allen
- Argent Financial
- Coldwell Banker Gosslee
- Hunt, Gulliot, and Associates
The LIVE UNITED Award recognizes a company or organization that demonstrates the LIVE United culture and spirit. Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino has consistently been a Top Ten company raising more than $40,000 annually. Not only does the company give, but the parent company believes in their corporate responsibility of making positive contributions to every community in which they are a part.
Beginning with their founders, the company has a had a tradition of giving generously to improve the quality of life of their staff, friends and neighbors, whether is it a door prize for an event, volunteer activities in the community or contributions to nonprofits, they believe in every day.
The distinguished Clyde E. Fant Memorial Award was presented to O. Delton Harrison, Jr.
The award recognizes an individual who has contributed to the community and United Way of Northwest Louisiana. This can be through leadership, campaign, volunteerism, or indirectly in long term volunteer effort in supporting programs associated with United Way.
This year’s honoree has exemplified character and giving to his community for many years through many programs. O. Delton Harrison, Jr. was born May 22, 1931 and the son of Jennie Moore Lane Harrison and Ollie Delton Harrison. He attended Southfield School, South Highlands School, St. John’s Military Academy, and graduated from C.E. Byrd High School. He is a graduate of American University in DC with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1953 and did his graduate studies in Geology at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and Centenary College of Louisiana. He is the President of Harrison Investments.
Delton has been an integral part of this community having served in many capacities in civic endeavors. Delton is central to this community having served on numerous boards and committees. The list is so long, we’d be here until the next Annual Celebration. Delton has been instrumental to the Shreveport Opera, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council, the Shreveport Little Theater, and founder of both the Red River Revel Arts Festival and the Shreveport Opera Guild.
He has served as president or chairman of the Shreveport Opera, Shreveport Little Theater, The English Speaking Union, The Cotillion Club, Fiest Weiller Cancer Center, The Meadows Museum at Centenary College, Shreveport Regional Arts Council, and the Christus Schumpert Foundation.
He has many accolades including being named the Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 1997. He was one of ten winners of the 2000 Governor’s Arts Awards. He was named Arts Patron of the Year, Most Valuable Art Patron of the Shreveport Opera Guild, and received the award for Most Valuable Volunteer from the Shreveport Little Theatre. Centenary College named him an Honorary Alumnus and most recently he was honored as a Louisiana Legend by the Louisiana Public Broadcasting.
He participates in events such as ArtBreak making crafts with the children, art openings where he stays to congratulate the artists and encourage them, serves an Usher and Worship Leader at St. Mark’s Cathedral, and attends many benefits which raise money for worthy causes – from Robinson’s Rescue to United Way and the Krewe of Justinia.
Other companies and United Way partners were recognized including sponsors, pacesetter companies and in kind supporters.