United Way of Greater Charlottesville (UWGC) is excited to announce the recipients of this year’s 6th Annual Caring for Community Awards!
UWGC created the Caring for Community Awards to shine a light on the outstanding individuals and organizations in our community who are going above and beyond to help others. Honorees received this year’s awards at the 2025 Day of Caring Kickoff Breakfast at John Paul Jones Arena.
Norm Oliver, UWGC’s Board Chair, said “The Caring for Community Awards were established in 2020 as a means of recognizing the unsung heroes that were working, often in isolation, to help their neighbors. We continue that tradition today by recognizing local individuals, businesses, faith organizations, and nonprofits who have gone above and beyond for their community this year.”
The Caring for Community Awards are 100% community-driven, as they are given out based on public nominations and voting that takes place earlier in the summer. During this summer’s public voting period, UWGC received close to 1,400 votes for this year’s awards! They recognize individuals and organizations across public, private, and nonprofit sectors–all who uplift their neighbors in some way to make a positive impact on our community.
This year’s 6th Annual Caring for Community Award honorees are:
- Above and Beyond Community Advocate: Amy Long, International Neighbors
- Above and Beyond Voice for Community Collaboration: Shaniece Bradford, ReadyKids & Shaniecebe
- Above and Beyond Voice for Early Education: Mary Johnston, Burnley-Moran Elementary School
- Above and Beyond Voice for Financial Empowerment: Janasha Bradford / Tiny Investors Club, Mahogany & Friends
- Above and Beyond Health Care Provider: Dr. Paul Wisman, Pediatric Associates Jefferson St.
- Above and Beyond Nonprofit: ReadyKids and Come As You Are (CAYA) Cville (TIE!)
- Above and Beyond Business: CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine
- Above and Beyond Employee: LaQuinn Gilmore, The Haven
- Above and Beyond Faith-Based Community or Group: LOVE IN THE NAME OF CHRIST (LOVE INC.) CHARLOTTESVILLE/ALBEMARLE
Thank you to the sponsors of the 2025 Caring for Community Awards, who help make it possible to celebrate the unsung heroes in our region:
- University of Virginia
- Sentara
- Woodard Properties
- C-VILLE Weekly
- Virginia Credit Union