HAMLET — The United Way of Richmond County held its 2026 Awards Celebration at Richmond Community College, recognizing volunteers, businesses, schools, and community partners whose service and generosity continue to strengthen Richmond County.
During the program, Michelle Parrish, Executive Director, reflected on the impact made possible through community support. In 2025, United Way partner agencies served 12,276 individuals and provided services 93,779 times. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, agencies had already served 3,182 individuals and delivered services 23,456 times, reflecting a continued increase in need throughout the community.
The organization also highlighted the success of its Bundle Up Richmond initiative, which distributed more than 1,800 winter items — including coats, gloves, blankets, socks, scarves, and other cold-weather essentials — to local families and individuals in need, as well as the impact of its Stuff the Bus campaign efforts through community sponsorships and donations. Last year alone, volunteers helped process 55,684 school supply items, supporting students across Richmond County Schools and helping ensure classrooms were prepared for success.
Attendees also learned more about United Way’s refreshed branding initiative and its continued focus on four core areas for 2027: healthy communities, youth opportunity, community resilience, and financial security.
Partner agencies recognized during the event included the American Red Cross, Backpack Pals, New Horizons Life and Family Services, Our Daily Bread, Pee Dee Pregnancy Resource Center, Richmond County 4-H, Richmond County Rescue Squad, Richmond County Schools Exceptional Children Program, Salvation Army, and Samaritan Colony. Community partnership awards were also presented to businesses, civic groups, and individuals for their ongoing support and involvement.
Several awards were presented during the celebration.
The “You Made a Difference Appreciation Award” was presented to students and staff at Fairview Heights Elementary School, Monroe Avenue Elementary School, and L. J. Bell Elementary School and Washington Street Elementary School for their participation in fundraising efforts during the Richmond County Schools United Way campaign.
The Youth Group Volunteers of the Year Award was presented to the Richmond Senior High School Beta Club for years of service supporting United Way’s Stuff the Bus campaign. Students assisted with collecting, sorting, counting, and distributing 55,684 school supply items for Richmond County students.
The Volunteer Group of the Year Award was presented to FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital – Richmond for its longstanding participation in Days of Caring projects, contributing 775 hours of service through 127 volunteers and demonstrating an extraordinary investment in strengthening the community and supporting local nonprofit efforts.
United Way also recognized four new Allocation Committee members as Rookies of the Year: Shana Lane, Wendy Kemble Hawks, Lynne Everett, and Kim Blake.
Allocation Committee Volunteers of the Year were awarded to Charity Lammonds, Lauren Taylor, and Mackenzie Webb.
The Warm Hearts Award was presented to the City of Hamlet for its partnership and support of the Bundle Up Richmond initiative.
The final recognition of the afternoon, Volunteer of the Year, was awarded to Butch Farrah for dedicated service as Treasurer and member of the United Way Board of Directors from 2023 through 2025.
United Way officials also shared appreciation for the 285 volunteers who contributed 875.5 hours of service during the 2025 Days of Caring campaign, resulting in an estimated $30,458 in labor savings for local agencies.
The organization closed the celebration by thanking the community for its continued support and emphasizing that every donation, volunteer hour, and act of kindness helps create opportunities and inspire hope throughout Richmond County.