EVERETT — Marysville residents and city employees were among the more than 400 representatives of Snohomish County companies, nonprofits, school districts and government agencies celebrating the close of the 2011 Community Caring Campaign, benefiting United Way of Snohomish County, on March 6.

The evening celebrated the third year in a row where revenues held steady despite difficult economic times. This included contributions to the various United Way campaigns, the Combined Federal Campaign and the Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound.

Although United Way is also raising money through for its endowment, is actively seeking grants, and works with policymakers to leverage state and federal dollars, the annual campaign through various worksites continues to be the group’s primary source of revenue.

“The money we raise, particularly the contributions that go to our Local Community Fund, go to ensuring that kids are ready to learn, that families have financial stability and our community as a whole is healthy,” said Sue Ambler, CEO of the Workforce Development Council of Snohomish County and chair of the 2011 Campaign.

In addition to several of its own initiatives, United Way supports 102 programs through 39 local nonprofits touching the lives of 330,000 people each year.

Marysville resident Josh Estes won the Labor Partnership Award. Estes is the former president of the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers Local 183, one of the local unions representing Kimberly-Clark employees. He currently sits on the United Way of Snohomish County’s Board of Directors and is chair of its Labor Advisory Committee.

“He worked to secure funding through Kimberly-Clark for the local Toys for Tots office as well as the Letter Carriers Food Drive,” Ambler said. “He has also started volunteering once a week on opening new doors, creating additional partnerships between United Way and local businesses. A member of the current Leadership Snohomish County class, he goes above and beyond in all the work he does in his partnership with United Way.”

Estes’ union previously won the award in 2009 and 2010.

Nancy Abell won the Employee Campaign Manager for a Medium Company for the city of Marysville.

“A successful campaign needs an outstanding Employee Campaign Manager,” Ambler said. “Employee Campaign Managers are the heart of the campaign. Their ability to see the potential in every gift generates the energy and dedication that drive the campaign.”

Ambler credited Abell with running the largest United Way campaign in the city’s history, with 89 percent of gifts going to the Local Community Fund, a total campaign that was 26 percent higher than last year and an almost 50 percent increase in Leadership givers.

“Her campaign grew to almost $17,000 this year,” Ambler said. “Nancy made sure everyone knew about the many volunteer efforts by their coworkers, showcasing some of the programs funded by United Way. Nancy leads by example. She is a giver, a volunteer and an advocate.”

Marysville residents Lindsay Crow and Jane Hoagland won the Employee Campaign Manager for a Small Company for Rodland Toyota/Scion.

“How many clowns can you fit into a Camry?” Ambler said. “The entire campaign team, if you’re Rodland Toyota/Scion. They came complete with balloon hats, floppy shoes and red noses. [They] held their own carnival as their 2011 campaign theme.”

Ambler explained that Crow and Hoagland led “Team Rodland” with special events and tours of United Way-funded programs, after kicking off their campaign with executive chef Buzz Rodland flipping burgers and dogs, and before wrapping up with their traditional “Thanks In Giving” turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

“Lindsay, Jane and the entire team worked tirelessly to make their campaign informative and fun, and the results speak for themselves,” Ambler said. “A 14 percent increase in participation and a whopping 94 percent of all gifts going to the Local Community Fund. Not bad for a company that won the President’s Award in 2007.”

Marysville resident and Employee Campaign Manager Barbara Parkhurst helped accept the award given to Damar AeroSystems for Best New Campaign.

“[It] jumped on the Live United bandwagon firing on all cylinders,” Ambler said. “It began with a huge Days of Caring project, clearing land in Monroe for a new Housing Hope location, and included a ton of special events, including a blazing-hot chili cook-off.”

Every employee at Damar AeroSystems was given the opportunity to participate in their first-ever campaign, and was also updated on a regular basis about community conditions and needs affecting those around them on a regular basis.

“And the results were amazing,” Ambler said. “Almost $15,000 in employee contributions, with 70 percent going to the Local Community Fund.”