
Robert Brandfass, Board Chair-Elect and Karen Stecher, Hoot Gibson Honoree
Karen Stecher was recently named our 2019 Hoot Gibson Award honoree for volunteerism to support the Heart of Illinois United Way! Whether it is for work, or as a volunteer, Karen is dedicated to serving nonprofit organizations both locally and nationally. As a Community Impact Fund volunteer grant reviewer since 2006, Karen support has positively impacted the health of the people in central Illinois.
As a former member of GENeration United, she also shares her extensive experience in external and internal communications as an invaluable member of our United Way Marketing Committee since 2008. And last year, she was responsible for managing our annual Power of the Purse silent auction that netted more than $100,000 to support the Community Impact Fund and childhood hunger initiatives.
Our annual Hoot Gibson award is presented in memory of Horace J. “Hoot” Gibson who spent countless hours working without fanfare to help others.