Each year, United Way of Snohomish County honors volunteers and community members with its prestigious Spirit Awards.
This years winners were announced at United Ways annual Spirit of Snohomish County Breakfast on Wednesday, Sept. 12. The breakfast included a report to the community on United Ways work and investments and the official kick-off of the fundraising campaign with the announcement of a new $7.4 million goal for United Ways Local Community Fund.
United Way Campaign Chair John Dickson, CEO of Frontier Bank, announced a goal of for the 2007 fundraising campaign $7.4 million for the Local Community Fund. The Fund covers It is the portion of the overall campaign total that is not directed by donors to a specific charity.

Spirit Award to an
Individual:
Jim Strickland. As a special education teacher at Totem Middle School (the former Marysville Junior High School), Strickland works to engage his students in active community service and democratic education.
Strickland has been a teacher for more than 17 years and devotes a tremendous amount of time outside of the classroom to working on community projects. With his students, Strickland volunteers weekly at the Marysville Food Bank, the YMCA, and the Marysville Senior Center. He has created several apprentice opportunities for local students to learn from professionals, and recently helped start Marysvilles first-ever Cinco de Mayo festival, bringing together more than 300 residents. This Everett resident has a passion for learning by living and making his community a great place for all.
The Individual Spirit award is presented to someone who works or volunteers in the human services profession; and who has made a significant impact in his/her ?eld of service. Strickland exemplifies United Ways mission to transform community to improve peoples lives and to inspire this spirit in others.

Spirit Award to a Youth:
Chelsea Boren, 16, a resident of Everett, is a junior at Lake Stevens High School. In addition to high school, Key Club and family life, Boren volunteers at Cocoon House, the shelter for homeless teens.
The Spirit Award to a Youth is given to someone under the age of 18 who exemplifies leadership, volunteerism and the philanthropic spirit of Snohomish County. He or she works or volunteers at a United Way-funded program; and has made a significant impact in his/her ?eld of service.

Spirit of Labor Award:
Bob Neumann, (awarded posthumously).
When Bob Neumann was diagnosed with severe emphysema in 1995, doctors gave him six months to live. He left his job as a structural mechanic at Everetts Boeing plant and became a tireless volunteer.
He also beat doctors expectations by nearly 10 years. During that time, he volunteered four days a week in the pulmonary rehab program at Providence Everett Medical Center. With his local union, he headed an adopt-a-highway program, cleaning up Everetts Casino Road. Other community projects included cleaning up schools, building playgrounds and participating in United Ways Day of Caring. Bob Neumann gave over 5,000 hours to volunteer service.
Robert William Neumann died on Feb. 25, 2007 at age 60. He is survived by his wife, Judy Neumann, who accepted the award on his behalf.
The Spirit of Labor Award is presented to a union member for outstanding leadership and community service through the partnership between United Way of Snohomish County and Organized Labor.

Spirit of Snohomish County Community Partners:
Bank of America, the Internal Revenue Service, EverTrust Foundation, Moss Adams, Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County, United Way of King County, State Dept. of Community, Trade and Economic Development and tax site manager Bob LaBouy.
The Community Partner Spirit Award recognizes the organization or corporation that exemplifies the most comprehensive, measurable commitment to building strong and caring communities.
Spirit of Snohomish County Reeves/Sievers Founders Award
Mary Duryee is a life-long resident and supporter of Everett, its people and nonprofit organizations. Although she still resides only blocks away from where she grew up, a lifetime of charitable giving and volunteering have had a far-reaching impact
Her charitable interests are as varied as the Childrens Museum, First Presbyterian Church, The Everett Symphony, Camp Fire USA, The American Red Cross and the YMCA, for whom she served on a capital campaign and chaired an Investment in Youth campaign.
The Duryee name is synonymous with civic involvement and charitable giving. Together with her husband, Dan, Mary was involved in innumerable boards of directors and capital campaigns. On his death in 1990, she established a Charitable Trust in his name and United Ways local chapter of the Tocqueville Society the very highest circle of donorswas named in his honor.
J.A. Reeves and Roy Sievers led the formation of the Everett Community Chest in 1941, the predecessor of United Way of Snohomish County. The Reeves/Sievers Award is given to an individual who has made a lifetime commitment to community service and the spirit of philanthropy.