David W. Smith/ Daily NewsFramed by plaques, Craig Browning 2007 Chairman of the Board of United Way of Southern Kentucky speaks at the annual Awards and Recognition Dinner Tuesday at the Knights of Columbus hall. The event was entitled "Night of the Stars….2007".

United Way of Southern Kentucky recognized local businesses for a year of giving at its annual “Night of Stars” awards and recognition presentation, held Tuesday at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Earning high honors this year were three companies who received the Gold Star award, recognizing companies achieving the highest per capita gift giving in the community.

Among firms of fewer than 100 employees, Hilliard Lyons, whose employees gave $875.74 per capita in 2007, won the gold star. Warren Rural Electric Cooperative won the gold star for firms with 100 to 249 employees, giving $230.37 per capita, while General Motors and UAW Local 2164, giving $146.48 per capita, earned the gold star for firms employing more than 250.

Overall, $1,951,101 was raised for United Way in the five counties served by the southern Kentucky chapter.

That money went toward more than 45,000 services in the region in the areas of senior services, personal abuse, poverty, literacy, youth development, disabilities and substance abuse.

According to United Way President Doug Eberhart, 75 percent of the money raised in the organization’s 2007 fundraising campaign came from employee contributions.

“Our total dollars raised last year is a little less than the year before ($2,040,671 in 2006) but our main concern is with results of our campaign and we look forward to serving thousands of people in southern Kentucky,” Eberhart said prior to the ceremony.

Craig Browning, outgoing chairman of the United Way board of directors, said last year’s fundraising campaign helped contribute to the expansion of Phoenix House, a Scottsville-based recovery home for women suffering from substance abuse problems.

Browning also provided thanks to other services involved with United Way’s fundraising campaign, including medical services to working adults without health insurance, nursing home visits and assistance in child support payments.

“This is a very giving community, not just from a monetary standpoint, but also a volunteer standpoint,” Browning said.

Incoming chairman Barry Williams said the United Way board and its local investment teams should be lauded for their efforts, but he saved the highest praise for individual contributors.

“We have a great board and we have a great staff, but United Way works because of your efforts,” Williams said to the audience of more than 100.

Award winners

Shining Star — Halton Company, J.M Smucker Company, South Central Bank of Bowling Green, Trace Die Cast.

Rising Star — Allen County Schools, American Bank and Trust, Barren County Schools, BGMU, Camping World – Franklin, Canteen, Community Action of Southern Kentucky, Bowling Green-Warren County Community Education, Country Oven Bakery, The Daily News, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Holiday Inn University Plaza, Holley Performance Products, Logan Aluminum, Logan County Schools, Lord Corporation, Macy’s, NKH of America Suspension Products, Simpson County Schools, South Central Bank – Glasgow, Stoody Company

Gold Star — Hilliard Lyons, Warren Rural Electric Cooperative, General Motors and UAW Local 2164

Silver Star — Atmos Energy Corporation, BB&T – Russellville, BKD LLP, Barren River Area Safe Space, Citizens First Bank – Bowling Green, Citizens First Bank – Franklin, Electric Power Services, Harlin Parker, Hope Harbor, Kentucky Legal Aid, South Central Bank of Franklin, The Salvation Army, U.S. Bank – Bowling Green, U.S. Bank – Franklin, U.S. Bank – Glasgow, U.S. Bank, Russellville, Warren County Water District

Bronze Star — BB&T – Bowling Green, Citizens First Bank – Glasgow, Franklin Bank and Trust – Bowling Green, Georgia Pacific, Hilliard Lyons, Hospice of Southern Kentucky, JP Morgan Chase, Jim Johnson Auto Group, PBI Bank – Bowling Green, Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative, Warren Rural Electric Cooperative

Pioneer Award — Bowling Green Technical College, Farmer’s RECC, Glasgow Water Company, Span Tech

Best New Campaign — Glasgow Water Company

Most Improved Campaign — Trace Die Cast

Corporate Leadership Award — Logan Aluminum, U.S. Bank

Outcomes Achievement Award — Community Action Foster Grandparents

Giving Totals

Allen County — $123,196

Barren County — $211,441

Logan County — $217,836

Simpson County — $67,810

Warren County — $1,330,818

TOTAL — $1,951,101