Prairieland United Way honors Andy and Lori Smith for volunteer service

Andy and Lori Smith’s work with Bound to Stay Bound reached well beyond the company floor, helping Prairieland United Way raise money, review allocations and keep a network that serves more than 35,000 people a year across Morgan, Scott, Cass and northern Greene counties.

Prairieland United Way honored the Jacksonville couple on April 21 with the Helen Baldwin Distinguished Service Award, a recognition created in 1994 for volunteers who go far beyond routine support. The award is named for Helen Baldwin, its first recipient, whose service included chairing two campaigns, serving for many years as residential and business committee chair, and helping develop both the allocations process and the Pacesetter leadership giving group as a longtime board member.

Board President Lisa Stambaugh said the Smiths have been long-time leadership donors who step in when needed. Their service has included emceeing a Color Run in bad weather, helping with employee campaigns at odd hours, chairing the campaign about a decade ago and serving on allocation panels. They also helped secure increases in company contributions, extending their influence beyond personal giving to the broader fundraising base that supports local programs.

That broader system matters because Prairieland United Way’s annual campaign directly affects health, education and employment-related services in Morgan, Scott, Cass and northern Greene counties. In 2024, the organization set a goal of $470,000 and later reported raising $492,655, a result that showed how much difference sustained volunteer leadership can make when the campaign is under way and the requests from local agencies keep coming in.

The Smiths now join a list of past Helen Baldwin Award recipients that includes Linda Donovan, Joy French Becker, Ernie and Helen Downey, Mike Halsne, Bev Coats, Bob Sibert, Paul White, Bob and Janet Chipman, and Gary Scott. Their recognition reflects more than a single season of service. It points to the kind of steady work that keeps local fundraising organized, keeps allocation decisions grounded and keeps money moving to agencies and programs that residents across the region rely on every day.