United Way of Southwest Wyoming officially launched its 2025 Campaign during the Campaign Kickoff and Awards Luncheon held Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at the Holiday Inn in Rock Springs. The event brought together community members, business leaders, and nonprofit partners to celebrate the power of collaboration and to recognize outstanding workplace campaigns.
“Each of you plays an important role—whether through volunteering, giving, or advocating—to make a real difference for families and neighbors in need,” said JoAnna Robinson, Board President of United Way of Southwest Wyoming and Williams Opal Facility Supervisor. “Your support is what fuels lasting change, and together, we are creating brighter futures.”
United Way’s Community Impact Grants focus on three impact areas: Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Healthy Community. United Way grant recipients, local nonprofits, address critical needs such as early literacy, after-school care, access to food, mental health supports, and family stability.
United Way’s Community Impact Grants currently support eight programs in Sweetwater County, helping to strengthen local families and communities.
Speakers highlighted the growing challenges nonprofits face due to rising costs and reduced grant funding, and emphasized the importance of workplace giving campaigns in keeping essential services strong.
Impact Spotlight: Ramona
Kelly Frink, Executive Director of United Way of Southwest Wyoming, shared the story of Ramona, a senior citizen in Rock Springs, to illustrate the real-life impact of community support.
“Ramona is one of those people you don’t forget—warm, resilient, and creative. She is very talented and paints, sews, and does other little projects to bring in extra money. But like so many of our seniors living on a fixed income, she was struggling quietly behind the scenes,” Frink said.
A few years ago, Ramona enrolled in the Meals on Wheels program through the Rock Springs Young at Heart Community Center. What seemed like a small change—receiving one hot, nutritious meal a day—turned out to be life-changing. Her health improved, she lost weight, and she was able to reduce or discontinue several medications.
Volunteers delivering meals noticed she was still food insecure, as most of her limited income went toward rent. With their support, she received bi-monthly food deliveries from the Food Bank of Sweetwater County, easing the burden.
Ramona then applied for and was approved for public housing assistance, lowering her rent by more than $700 per month. That shift gave her the breathing room to buy clothes that fit comfortably, save for dental care, and feel secure for the first time in years.
“Ramona’s story is about more than one program—it’s about what happens when services, organizations, and volunteers work together. Meals on Wheels, the food bank, housing support—all pieces of a puzzle that, when connected, completely transformed her life. That’s what your support of United Way makes possible: not just programs, but networks of care that change lives,” Frink explained.
“Ramona’s story shows us what happens when a community comes together. It’s not just survival—it’s thriving.” – Kelly Frink, Executive Director, United Way of Southwest Wyoming
Recognizing Local Companies
United Way also presented its annual awards to recognize outstanding workplace campaigns:
Excellence Award: Jim Bridger Power Plant and the Utility Workers Union of America Local 127 – Employees raised more than $107,000 with company match, with 71% employee participation.
Spirit Award: Simplot – Achieved a nearly 19% increase in their workplace campaign when combining employee giving and the company match
Heart of the Community Award: ExxonMobil Shute Creek – Contributed over 100 hours of volunteer service through Helping Hands Day projects that supported the Boys & Girls Club of Sweetwater County. They also participate in the annual golf tournament, run a workplace campaign and giving a company gift towards the campaign
“This campaign is about proving that Southwest Wyoming takes care of its own,” said Frink. “Every dollar raised here stays here, making sure families, children, and seniors in our communities have the support they need to not just get by, but thrive.”
United Way of Southwest Wyoming invites all local businesses and community members to get involved by supporting workplace campaigns, volunteering, and spreading awareness.