August 28, 2023 – West Bend, WI – At the annual Leaders in Giving event, United Way of Washington County presented the Clifford A. & Elizabeth M. Nelson Volunteer Leadership Award to Jeff Szukalski.
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United Way’s Volunteer Leadership Award was created to recognize an individual in Washington County who has demonstrated community leadership and a long-term commitment to volunteering. The award is named in honor of the late Cliff Nelson and his wife Betty, who are known for their outstanding volunteer efforts on behalf of human service, civic, and arts organizations. Each year, past Nelson Award winners nominate and select a new recipient.
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At this year’s event, Jeff was honored with this prestigious lifetime achievement award:
Jeff Szukalski, Owner, Jeff’s Spirits on Main
Jeff has been a generous contributor of his time and support for decades throughout Washington County. Key highlights of his service include:
- Member of the Volunteer Center Board
- Involved with Seafood Fest
- Vice-President of the Board for the West Bend Area Music for Youth, Inc
- Serves on the West Bend Rotary
- Executive committee member of the West Bend Baseball Association Board of Directors
- Board member and volunteer of the Restoration of Carl Kuss Field at Regner Park
- Involved with the Full Shelf pantry through the Packer games squares
- Christmas parade committee
“I cannot remember a time when Jeff has ever said “no” to a request for support or assistance with a fundraiser or community project. He is always at the forefront – ready to volunteer or provide actual real goods and services,” states Prudy Pick Hway, nominator and past award recipient.
“Each year, it is an honor to recognize the best of our community,” said Kristin Brandner, CEO of United Way of Washington County. “It is an honor to recognize Jeff for his longstanding commitment.”
“I think most nonprofits from MOWA to the Boys & Girls Club would agree that he is one of those unsung heroes who is always behind the scenes. Let’s recognize him for all he does for West Bend and Washington County,” added Pick Hway.
Past recipients of United Way’s Clifford A. & Elizabeth M. Nelson Volunteer Leadership Award include:
2022 – Jerry Aman, Chris Chulpp and Tim Purman
2019 – Peter Ziegler
2018 – Allan Kieckhafer
2017 – Tom Hostad
2016 – John Duwell
2015 – Mike Bloedorn
2013 – Prudence Pick Hway
2012 – Elizabeth M. Nelson
2011 – Kevin Steiner
2010 – Nancie Heaps
2009 – John R. Dedrick
2008 – Andrew Gumm
2007 – Charlie & Gaytha Hillman
2006 – Robert Rolfs
2005 – Mo Josten
2004 – Ray Lipman
2003 – James W. Kieckhafer
2002 – Doug Ziegler
2001 – George Prescott
2000 – Thomas R. Bast
1999 – Rick Edwards
1998 – Jerry & Nancy Mehring
1997 – Sharon S. Ziegler
1996 – Vic Albiero
1995 – Bernard C. Ziegler
1994 – Helen Hillman
1993 – Judie Lewis
1992 – John B. Torinus, Jr.
1991 – John F. Rozek
1990 – Robert J. Steiner
1989 – Joan Pick
1988 – Clifford A. Nelson
UNITED WAY UNVEILS NEW RECOGNITION –
THE KEVIN STEINER EMERGING LEADER AWARD
At the annual Leaders in Giving event, United Way of Washington County unveiled a new award, the Steiner Emerging Leader Award.
This recognition is in honor of Kevin Steiner as the founder of our local United Way’s Emerging Leaders group, which started in 2017 when he served as United Way campaign chair. Amanda Novotny and Dominic Labb have served as emerging leaders co-chairs and presented Kevin with this recognition.
“Our chief visionary is Mr. Kevin Steiner himself,” states Dominic Ladd, former co-chair of United Way’s Emerging Leaders. “Kevin saw the need to grow the next generation of leaders in this community and helped form our group.”
“Each year, Kevin remains hands-on in providing mentorship and resources to support our rising leaders,” highlights Amanda Novotny, current co-chair of United Way’s Emerging Leaders. “What an honor to thank him by presenting this legacy award.”
United Way’s Emerging Leaders is a team of young professionals who actively invest their time, talent, and resources to improve our community. Their mission is to ignite and inspire one another by providing opportunities to lead, serve, and grow. It is a place to grow one’s network, meet community leaders and CEOS, invest in the community through volunteerism, and develop personally and professionally.
Over the next few months, the emerging leaders will consult with Kevin on building the criteria for this annual award, which will be announced each year alongside the Nelson Volunteer Leadership Lifetime Achievement award.
“Kevin is an incredible leader and he’s truly passionate about helping others,” said Kristin Brandner, CEO of United Way of Washington County. “He has had such a profound impact on touching the lives of so many. It truly is an honor to recognize him with a named legacy award so he can continue to inspire generations to come.”
