The United Way of the Pennyrile Campaign Awards Celebration brought the community together Feb. 10 at The Silo Event Center to mark the close of the 2025-2026 campaign, honoring donors, volunteers and partners whose efforts pushed the campaign beyond its $715,000 goal.
By the end of the evening, officials announced a total of $800,292 raised to support 16 partner agencies serving the Pennyrile region.
“Tonight is a wonderful celebration of the donations, the contributions, the love that everyone has for these agencies,” said Board Chair Martha Steil. “These agencies are such a blessing in our community.”
Executive Director Melanie Noffsinger said the campaign — her first full effort in the role — reflected the power of a shared purpose.
“Because of each of you, our donors, our volunteers, our advocates, and our community partners, possibilities are no longer just ideas,” Noffsinger said. “They have become real opportunities for families across the Pennyrile.”
Employee Giving (100% Participation)
The following businesses and agencies achieved 100% employee participation in their workplace campaigns:
- Aaron McNeil House
- Armed Services YMCA
- Atmos Energy
- Baird Private Wealth Management
- Bastin Optometric Clinic
- Christian County Chamber of Commerce
- Christian County Emergency Management
- Christian County Literacy Council
- Dyslexia Association of the Pennyrile
- Hopkinsville Electric System
- Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center
- The Salvation Army of Hopkinsville
- Sanctuary Inc.
- Southwestern Kentucky Economic Development Council
- Trace Industries
- University Heights Academy
John C. Latham Leadership Giving Society
The Latham Society, established in 1985, recognizes donors who contribute more than $500 annually. This year’s society included 453 donors who gave a combined $379,250.
Division Awards
Commercial Division
- Spirit Award (largest increase): Christian County Chamber of Commerce, 81.1% increase
- Chairman’s Award (largest total giving): Planters Bank, $36,907 (approximately 5% increase)
- Top 10 Commercial Donors: H&R AgriPower; Planters Bank; Fortera Credit Union; United Southern Bank; Walmart Distribution Center; First Financial Bank; Southwestern Kentucky Economic Development; Casey Mills Supply Company; U.S. Bank; Kentucky Western Truck Lines; Enterprise Holdings
Education Division
- Spirit Award: University Heights Academy, 385.2% increase, $1,473.05
- Chairman’s Award: Hopkinsville Community College, $4,134.20
- Division Total: $22,032.29
Government Division
- Spirit Award: Community and Development Services, 22.8% increase, $3,121.46
- Chairman’s Award: Hopkinsville Fire Department, $59,362.40
- Division Total: $140,362.50
Industrial Division
- Spirit Award: Atmos Energy, 46.9% increase, more than $9,000
- Chairman’s Award: Pennyrile Electric, more than $56,000 including TVA and CoBank match
- Division Total: $185,360
Professional Division
- Spirit Award: Hopkinsville Family YMCA
- Chairman’s Award: Jennie Stuart Health, $16,570.36
- Division Total: $158,962.19
Residential Division
- 134 donors
- Division Total: $112,575
Regional Impact Awards
- Todd County: Pennyrile Electric
- Trigg County: Wabash
People Helping People Awards
Recognizing organizations that made a corporate gift and held a successful employee campaign:
- Small Business: Atmos Energy
- Medium Business: Hopkinsville Electric System EnergyNet
- Large Business: City of Hopkinsville
- Overall: H&R AgriPower
Special Awards
Beverly Whitfield Outstanding Volunteer Award
Lynn Major received the award for her nearly decade-long leadership of Rock Steady Boxing at the Hopkinsville Family YMCA, a non-contact boxing program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
“For nearly 10 years, 85 fighters, 60 volunteers, and 10 coaches have been involved in the program,” said YMCA Executive Director Cheryl Ellis. “More than just a fitness program, Rock Steady Boxing at the Hopkinsville YMCA has become a place of fellowship, encouragement, and unwavering support.”
Major credited the participants for the program’s success.
“They fight with so much grit, so much courage, and humor,” Major said. “I have never felt so much love in one place as I did today. And that’s what it’s all about.”
William Flowers Award
Lana Bastin, past board chair and current Residential Division chair, was honored for her longstanding volunteer leadership and support of United Way.
“I only hope that I can give back a little bit of what he did,” Bastin said, referring to the late Bill Flowers. “I hope that I can live that and be an example to others.”
Brown-Badgett Legacy Level Announcement
Sue Badgett was recognized for an extraordinary $75,000 gift, the largest single donation in campaign history. In her honor, United Way announced the creation of the Brown-Badgett Legacy, the highest level within the Latham Society.
“To whom much is given, much is expected,” Badgett said. “Hopkinsville will always be home for me.”
Top 10 Overall Donors
The top 10 overall donors contributed a combined $408,676.90:
- H&R AgriPower — $84,105
- City of Hopkinsville — $75,863.54
- Pennyrile Electric — $56,126.29
- Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority — $47,500
- Hopkinsville Electric System — $36,921.63
- Planter’s Bank — $36,907.28
- Krusteaz — $26,655.20
- Jennie Stuart Health — $16,570.36
- Riken Elastomers America — $14,729.28
- Seymour Milling — $13,297.32
Steil also announced that Nicole Cravens, vice president of commercial banking at Planters Bank and current Professional Division chair, will serve as board chair for 2026-2027.
The evening concluded with the announcement of the campaign’s final total.
“Your generosity didn’t just support one cause,” Campaign Co-Chair Bri Smith said before the reveal. “It empowered 16 incredible partner agencies and the lives they impact every day.”
Moments later, Noffsinger announced the final figure: $800,292 — far exceeding the $715,000 goal.
The total marked a record-setting close to a campaign built around the theme of “Unlimited Possibilities,” a message leaders said the community brought to life through generosity, volunteerism and shared purpose. For United Way and its 16 partner agencies, the celebration was not just about dollars raised, but about doors opened and lives strengthened across the region.
