United Way of Southwest Alabama celebrated the people and organizations whose leadership, generosity, service and partnership strengthen Mobile County during its 2026 Mobile County Awards Reception held September 1 at Courtyard on Dauphin.

The reception recognized volunteers, businesses, community partners and nonprofit leaders whose contributions support United Way’s mission and the work of its Partner Agencies. Lindsay Lum, United Way of Southwest Alabama Director of Community Engagement & Agency Relations, welcomed guests and presented the evening’s recognitions.

“Each contributes in a different way, but together they help United Way and our Partner Agencies create greater impact across Mobile County,” Lum said. “That spirit of working together defines United Is The Way™.”

The evening began with special recognition of two community food distributions.

The Ladd Food Distribution brought together Feeding the Gulf Coast, Mobile County Public School System Social Services Department, the City of Mobile, Mobile Police Department, Alabama Power, United Rentals, Coca-Cola, Rock & Roll Offs, Moe’s BBQ Downtown and community volunteers. Together, they provided food to more than 2,000 households representing approximately 8,000 individuals during a period of increased need last November.

United Way also recognized the Africatown Food Distribution, which began when TruBridge chose to give back to the community rather than hold a traditional holiday party. TruBridge joined United Way, Feeding the Gulf Coast and Africatown volunteers to distribute boxes of food, including turkeys for holiday meals, to families just before the holidays.

United Way presented the following awards:

• Committee Member of the Year: Michael Strickler, Lagniappe, for his continued service on United Way’s Marketing Committee, community advocacy and commitment to creating connections that advance United Way’s work.
• Outstanding Board Service: Dr. Andi Kent, University of South Alabama, for her leadership as former Chair of United Way’s Board of Trustees and her continued service as Immediate Past Chair and a member of the Executive Committee. Kent has also helped strengthen the longstanding partnership between the University and United Way.
• Outstanding Campaign Service: Chris Esfeller, Regions Financial, for his leadership as 2025 Campaign Chair. Under Esfeller’s leadership, United Way raised more than $3.1 million, helping make possible the largest funding awards to Partner Agencies in several years.
• Outstanding Campaign Coordinator: Laurie Harvey, Southeast Toyota Finance, for helping grow the company’s campaign from approximately $29,000 to $114,344 while engaging employees in United Way’s mission through workplace giving, community partners, Allocations and volunteer service.
• Martin Family Volunteer of the Year: Jim Brewer, for 14 years of volunteer service through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Brewer prepared more than 130 current year tax returns during the 2026 filing season alone and continues assisting taxpayers through United Way’s summer program.
• Heart of Gold: Lee Peck, WALA FOX10, for using his work in local media to highlight community needs, connect people with resources and expand the reach of United Way and its Partner Agencies.
• Heart of Platinum: Deanna Murphy, Via Health, Fitness & Enrichment Center, recognizing more than a decade of leadership, service and partnership as she begins retirement.
• Heart of Platinum: Brian Jordan, FusionPoint Media, for nearly 30 years of helping document and preserve United Way’s history through photography and video.
• Outstanding New Partner: Origin Bank, which more than tripled its investment in its second United Way campaign while expanding its involvement through volunteer service, community initiatives and leadership
• Outstanding Partner Agency: Fostering Together Gulf Coast, recognizing its active participation in United Way and its work supporting foster children and the families who care for them
• Outstanding Community Partner: ArcelorMittal, recognizing a partnership that has included more than $542,000 in contributions since 2009, volunteer service and multiple playground projects benefiting children and families.
• Outstanding Campaign: Alabama Power, recognizing generations of corporate support, employee giving, volunteerism and leadership. Alabama Power’s relationship with United Way reaches back to January 1927, when the company contributed $500 to Mobile’s first Community Chest campaign. Alabama Power and its employees contributed $213,304 in 2025 and have invested more than $5.6 million through United Way since 1998.
• Philanthropist of the Year: Bryce Huff, recognizing his personal investment in United Way programs serving young people and his efforts to use opportunities on a national stage to bring attention back to Mobile.
• Spirit of the United Way: Alabama Bulk Terminal, Hunt Refining, United Way’s highest organizational honor. For more than 25 years, Alabama Bulk Terminal and its employees have contributed $368,552 through United Way, helping touch more than 34,000 lives across Southwest Alabama while also supporting the community through employee participation and volunteer service.

The reception also highlighted United Way of Southwest Alabama’s 100 Years of Impact and looked toward the organization’s next century of service. President & CEO Justine Herlihy Bixler closed the evening by encouraging supporters to remain involved through the 2026 Campaign, volunteer service, advocacy and community partnerships.

Special thank you to our sponsors. Courtyard on Dauphin hosted the reception, Bottles Up provided bar service, and Namen’s provided food for the evening.

United Is The Way™.