AgFirst receives prestigious community awards from United Way of the Midlands

For its contributions relating to community impact, volunteer engagement and financial support, AgFirst is the recipient of three awards from the United Way of the Midlands: The Spirit of the Midlands Award for Corporate Leadership, Live United Award and the Corporate Gift Award. 

The Spirit of the Midlands award is presented to a corporate partner that embodies a spirit of giving through contributions of time, leadership and resources in support of United Way’s work in the priority issues of student success, financial stability and health access. AgFirst previously received this award for the 2016-2017 year. The Corporate Gift Award is given to an organization with the highest per capita gift, and AgFirst received this award in the category of 100-499 employees. Finally, the Live United Award was presented to the Bank based upon its contributions to United Way’s 2019-2020 campaign. 

“With a year that has upended so many lives in the Midlands, our partnership with the United Way of the Midlands has remained strong to do our part in supporting our community,” AgFirst President and CEO Tim Amerson said. “The Bank, with the generosity of our employees, is committed to lifting up others in need, and I’m proud this commitment has never wavered, especially during the pandemic.”

AgFirst was presented the Spirit of the Midlands award virtually at the United Way’s Major Firms Meeting on Tuesday, May 4. During this event, United Way shared highlights from the past campaign year and provided information on the impact organizations like AgFirst have on the Midlands.

Since the pandemic began, AgFirst and its employees have extended the commitment to making the Midlands a better place to live, work and grow. During last year’s annual United Way workplace campaign, employees generously pledged more than $113,675 to help confront the challenges of societal problems ranging from hunger to homelessness. The Bank added $52,000, as well as an additional $25,000 to United Way of the Midlands’ COVID-19 relief efforts.

The core mission of the United Way of the Midlands is to unite people and resources to improve the quality of life in the Midlands. AgFirst’s contributions enable United Way’s community partners to feed the hungry, assist with healthcare needs, meet rent and mortgage obligations and keep utilities on for many of the Midlands’ most vulnerable citizens. Just some in a long list of United Way community partners that AgFirst also supports are Girl Scouts of South Carolina, Columbia Urban League, Oliver Gospel Mission, Transitions Homeless Center, Harvest Hope Food Bank and more.