United Way officials thank Los Alamos youth leader Morrie Pongratz who along with his wife Cheryl Pongratz have been high-level United Way supporters for many years. From left, Morrie Pongratz, Valerie Martinez of  Del Norte Credit Union, United Way Executive Director  Kristy Ortega and United Way Board President Robert Trapp. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

United Way officials thank Katy Korkos, representing the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation Golf Tournament, which raised more than $8,200 for United Way. From left, Katy Korkos, Valerie Martinez, Kristy Ortega and Robert Trapp. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

From left, United Way Youth Team members Justin Dunn and Soumyo Lahiri-Gupta with UWNNM Executive Director Kristy Ortega and Los Alamos School Superintendent Dr. Gene Schmidt. Youth leader Morrie Pongratz is in the foreground. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Staff report

Longtime business and community leaders were honored during United Way of Northern New Mexico’s 2013 Recognition Night event Thursday at the Dixie Girl Restaurant.

Dr. Gene and Wendy Schmidt are the 2013 Campaign Chairs and were applauded for their commitment to the nonprofit organization.

United Way 2012 Board of Trustee President Bob Trapp emceed the annual event assisted throughout the evening by United Way Executive Director Kristy Ortega and board member Valerie Martinez.

Corporate Partners honored Thursday included Los Alamos National Laboratory/Los Alamos National Security, LLC represented by Kurt Steinhaus, Carole Rutten and Johnnie Martinez of LANL’s Community Programs Office.

LANL/LANS conducted the largest employee campaign raising more than $3.1 million and more than doubled its employee participation this year from 11 percent to 21 percent.  

Debbie Wersonick of the Community Programs Office was unable to attend the event but was honored for her years of dedication to United Way.

Los Alamos National Bank sponsored Thursday’s 2013 Recognition Night. Represented by Cathe McClard, LANB was recognized as a United Way Cornerstone company. LANB’s Danette Clark and her team coordinated the Roaring 20’s Soiree event, which raised more than $13,000 for United Way. 

A select number of businesses and organizations participate in the United Way’s Cornerstone Campaign each year. These companies run early campaigns and help set the pace for the new campaign year. They are committed to improving lives in Los Alamos and Northern New Mexico and making it a better place to work and live.

Cornerstone Companies also recognized Thursday were Del Norte Credit Union represented by Valerie Martinez, Rio Grande Sun represented by Bob Trapp and ReMax of Los Alamos, Los Alamos Medical Center and SOC.

Also recognized from LANB was Jason Waterbury who is this year’s Loaned Executive, Youth Team Supporter coordinating meeting rooms/equipment, volunteering at Youth Team events, collecting/supplying, helping with mailings, providing UWNNM historical information and creating presentations.

UWNNM Youth Team members honored at Thursday’s event included Kaylie Burke, Justin Dunn and Soumyo Lahiri-Gupta. Youth Team Sponsors recognized during the evening were:

• Fabulous 50’s Diner – Charles Bracken;
• Hill Diner – Denise Lane for Hamburger Night;
• Hilltop House Hotel – Lume Lako for partially sponsoring the High Tea on the Hill; and
• Hot Rocks Java Café and Film Festival at Home as the major sponsor of High Tea on the Hill.

Randall Ryti from Neptune and his wife Wendy Swanson were honored as a past Cornerstone Company and current employee campaign and individual givers.

The Los Alamos Daily Post was honored for “Being everywhere, all the time, covering United Way of Northern New Mexico and all we do.”

Los Alamos County, represented by David Griggs, received a plaque for its support this year, growing from less than 10 contributors to nearly 50 and its support of the UWNNM Youth Team activities including the Taste the Sky fundraiser at Los Alamos County Airport.

Cray Inc., represented by Philip J. Steffes, was honored for pledging $30,000 in donations over the next three years.

Margaret Ellis was recognized for supports the United Way office through her work at Los Alamos Post Office including office support in mailings and volunteering to help with the annual Taste the Sky fundraiser.

Dixie Girl owner Denise Lane was recognized for her years of support to United Way and for having her chef prepare the Italian meal of spaghettii and lazagna served at Thursday’s 2013 Recognition night for United Way.

Los Alamos National Bank was recognized for its generous support of United Way. LANB representatives include from left, Cathe McClard, Jason Waterbury and Chrs Ortega. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Katy Korkos, representing the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation, shares a laugh with Johnny Martinez from LANL’s Community Programs Office. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos High School teacher Kathy Boerigter with her husband UNM-LA Advisory Board Chair Stephen Boerigter at Thursday’s United Way 2013 Recognition Night. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

From left, UWNNM Youth Team member Soumyo Lahiri-Gupta, youth advisor Morrie Pongratz, United Way Finance and Campaign Director and youth team coordinator Marie Marroquin and Youth Team members Kaylie Burke and Justin Dunn. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Attendees at Thursday’s United Way 2013 Recognition Night. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Attendees at Thursday’s United Way 2013 Recognition Night. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Attendees at Thursday’s United Way 2013 Recognition Night. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

LANB sponsored the United Way 2013 Recognition Night Thursday including the buffet featuring Italian food served at the Dixie Girl in downtown Los Alamos. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com