United Way of Southwest Wyoming Kicks Off 2026 Campaign and Honors Community Leaders
United Way of Southwest Wyoming brought local businesses, community partners and volunteers together on September 9 for its 2026 Campaign Kick-Off and Awards Luncheon, celebrating the people and organizations helping strengthen communities across Southwest Wyoming.
Held at the Holiday Inn in Rock Springs, the luncheon marked the start of United Way’s annual workplace campaign and highlighted how local giving supports programs focused on Youth Opportunity, Financial Security and Healthy Community.
“United is the Way” served as the theme for the event and reflected a central message of the luncheon: meaningful community impact happens when businesses, employees, nonprofit organizations, volunteers and donors work together.
United Way of Southwest Wyoming Executive Director Kelly Frink shared how workplace campaigns connect employees with a network of local programs and services. United Way’s workplace campaign is the organization’s largest fundraiser, providing employees an opportunity to give through payroll deduction while also allowing donors to designate gifts to tax-exempt organizations of their choice.
Frink also emphasized the importance of campaign coordinators and volunteers. With only two United Way staff members serving a large geographic area, volunteers within local workplaces help share information, connect employees with the mission and expand United Way’s reach.
Attendees also heard from Rock Springs attorney Kari Moneyhun, who spoke about legacy, community and the difference individuals can make when they choose to invest in the place they call home.
The luncheon concluded with the presentation of four awards recognizing exceptional workplace giving, volunteer service and community leadership.
Excellence Award — Jim Bridger Power Plant and UWUA Local 127
The Excellence Award was presented to Jim Bridger Power Plant, its employees and Utility Workers Union of America Local 127 for their longstanding commitment to United Way’s workplace campaign.
During the 2025 campaign, employees contributed $56,830, with an impressive 75% participation rate, meaning three out of every four employees chose to give. The PacifiCorp Foundation provides a match that is nearly dollar-for-dollar, further increasing the impact of those employee contributions.
The award recognizes not only the amount raised, but the strong campaign coordinators, engaged employees, union participation, supportive leadership and continued commitment that have made Jim Bridger one of United Way’s strongest workplace partners year after year.
Community Service Award — Karli Kiddy
The Community Service Award was presented to Karli Kiddy for her extraordinary dedication to the Community Diaper Banks of Southwest Wyoming’s Bridger Valley location.
Kiddy began volunteering with United Way in April 2019 and has since contributed more than 411 hours of service. Her role goes far beyond diaper distribution. She tracks inventory, maintains records, assists with annual reporting and surveys, distributes basic-needs items and back-to-school supplies, and works to ensure families can access help when emergencies arise.
Her service has made the diaper bank a dependable resource for families throughout Bridger Valley.
“Karli’s true impact cannot be measured by hours alone,” stated Shelley Richno, Community Impact Coordinator. “It can be seen in the relief of a parent receiving diapers, the excitement of a child prepared for a new school year, and the gratitude of a family finding support during a difficult time.”
Spirit Award — Wyoming Machinery
Wyoming Machinery received the Spirit Award, which recognizes a workplace that has embraced the United Way campaign by engaging employees, building enthusiasm and demonstrating what is possible when a company comes together to support its community.
Employee giving at Wyoming Machinery grew from $3,855 to $13,820, while participation increased from approximately 17% to more than 54%. Wyoming Machinery then matched employee donations dollar for dollar, bringing the total community investment to $27,640.
The dramatic growth in both employee participation and giving demonstrates the impact businesses can create when employees are given an opportunity to get involved and company leadership supports their generosity.
Heart of the Community Award — D’Andrea Chichester and Youth Alternative Home Association
The Heart of the Community Award was presented to D’Andrea Chichester, Executive Director of the Youth Alternative Home Association (YAHA), and YAHA in recognition of their commitment to young people and the communities they serve.
Chichester began working at YAHA in 2008 and became Executive Director in June 2020. Through its Group Home and Crisis Shelter, YAHA provides young people from Lincoln, Sweetwater, Uinta and Sublette counties with structure, stability, encouragement and support during difficult times.
Community service is also an important part of YAHA’s approach. Every young person placed in its care completes 100 hours of community service, participating in projects ranging from maintaining a community garden and helping elderly or disabled residents with yard work and snow removal to volunteering at community events, food banks, diaper banks and senior-care facilities.
Through those experiences, young people develop teamwork, responsibility, communication and problem-solving skills while discovering that they can make a positive contribution to their communities.
In 2026, Chichester was also selected by Governor Mark Gordon to serve on the Wyoming State Advisory Council on Juvenile Justice, bringing her experience and advocacy for young people to the state level.
Following the award presentation, Chichester shared a success story illustrating the difference community partnerships and funding can make in the life of a young person.
The story brought the luncheon back to the purpose behind United Way’s annual campaign: ensuring strong local organizations are available when individuals and families need them.
United Way encouraged businesses to invite staff and community partners into their workplaces, share local stories with employees and find ways for employees to participate through giving and volunteering.
“Every conversation you start, every employee you help connect with the mission, every volunteer you recruit and every donation matters,” Frink told attendees. “Thank you for helping show Southwest Wyoming that United is the Way.”
Businesses interested in starting a workplace campaign can contact Frink at 307-362-5003 or kfrink@swunitedway.org.
About United Way of Southwest Wyoming
United Way of Southwest Wyoming works to improve lives across Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater and Uinta counties by bringing people and resources together around three impact areas: Youth Opportunity, Financial Security and Healthy Community. Through workplace campaigns, Community Impact Grants, volunteer engagement and programs including Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Community Diaper Banks, United Way works with local partners to address community needs and create lasting impact.
United is the Way.