Honoring Local Heroes: United Way’s IMPACT Awards Celebrate Volunteer Excellence

United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s IMPACT Awards (Individuals Making Progress And Creating Transformation) celebrate volunteers whose dedication uplifts our community. Out of 160 invited partner agencies, 32 submitted nominations, which were thoughtfully reviewed by United Way’s Tocqueville Society—a group of influential business and civic leaders shaping the future of our region.

“The IMPACT Awards honor volunteers who dedicate their lives to strengthening our community,” said United Way President & CEO Bobbi Watt Geer, Ph.D. “Their work inspires us all and reminds us that everyone has a role in making a difference.”

This year, Donnie Black, a volunteer with the judo program and board member at Allegheny Youth Development (AYD) on Pittsburgh’s North Side, and Mary Ann Shiring, a volunteer at the food pantry at South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM), were recognized for their service. In their honor, AYD received a $15,000 grant to expand tournament opportunities, update judo uniforms and purchase additional exercise equipment. SHIM received a $5,000 grant to support its food pantry operations, including supplies and fuel for food bank trips.

We talked with Donnie and Mary Ann at the awards ceremony. Here’s what we learned about their volunteerism and their vision for the future of their organizations.

What originally inspired you to start volunteering with your respective agencies and why do you continue to do so?

Mary Ann: I met the executive director of SHIM, Jim Guffey, through work. He would always say, ‘When you retire, you’re going to come volunteer, right?’ When I retired, I kept my word and showed up. That was seven years ago, and I’ve loved every moment since. The people we serve are so appreciative, which makes you feel really good about what you’re doing. Honestly, they give back to us as much as we give to them.

Donnie: The reason I do what I do is because I now realize the impact of the hundreds of volunteers who came before me. As an adult, I can truly appreciate the sacrifices they made giving their time– unpaid–because they cared about us. When I got the call to come back and help run the judo program, I did at the drop of a dime. Giving back is a beautiful thing, and it’s my way of paying forward the kindness and support I once received.

What would you most like to see your respective organization accomplish in the coming years and how do you hope to contribute to that future?

Donnie: I was a former high-ranking competitive judoka coming out of high school and college, and I’d love to see that same level of achievement for our dojo. I always tell my students that my dream is for them to one day become junior world champions or even Olympians. With the 2028 Olympics happening in Los Angeles, it would be incredible to have someone from our dojo represent on that stage.

Mary Ann: My hope for the future of our organization is to see a time when we don’t need to provide as much food assistance. I dream of a community where everyone is self-sufficient and has the resources to thrive independently. Ultimately, my wish is to work ourselves out of this job, so to speak, because it would mean that everyone we’ve helped has succeeded on their own.

Looking to make a difference through volunteering? Explore United Way’s volunteer engagement opportunities on our website and discover how your workplace can partner with us to support meaningful volunteer initiatives.