Victor Celso is the Catering Manager for Red Rock Bakery. He’s also a security guard, foodie, father, thrift store enthusiast, and Green Bay Packers fan.
Submitted by Ruth Cavins, Executive Director of United Way of Payne County
United Way of Payne County held its annual meeting on January 28, 2025, at Meridian Technology Center to celebrate campaign success in raising $1 million, its 24 partner agencies, dedicated volunteers and board members, workplace campaigns and various award winners.
“The combined work of the United Way and our partner agencies ensures that critical services are available to expand educational opportunities, improve the health and safety, and the impact of reducing poverty for our families, friends, and neighbors,” said Chris Ormsbee, outgoing board president.
As outgoing board president, Ormsbee welcomed attendees to the annual meeting, highlighted each partner agency and celebrated the UWPC campaign success. Additionally, Ormsbee presented awards given to individuals and workplace campaigns. Recipients included: Caryn Campbell, Latina Simmons, and Ashley Joiner (Outstanding Community Leader – Cushing), Leah Smith and April Nack (Outstanding Community Leader – Perkins), Stan Clark and Kendra Burtrum (Outstanding Community Leader – Stillwater), as well as Stonecloud Brewing Co, Lambert Construction, and OSU Varsity Revue. Each award was given to recognize the dedicated, passionate and driven community members who are committed to positively enacting change in Payne County. See the full list of awards and recipients with photos on the United Way of Payne County website.
“United Way of Payne County is dedicated to supporting a community where every individual has an opportunity to thrive. Our annual meeting is a rare opportunity to get the helpers that make that happen in one room all at the same time. It’s a very positive and hope-filled experience. We are incredibly grateful for our network of nonprofit agencies, all of the volunteers who support those agencies, and the campaign coordinators and donors who raise the money to make it all happen” said Ruth Cavins, UWPC executive director.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Stillwater was recognized as this year’s Bennett Basore Award winner. United Way of Payne County established the Bennett Basore Award in 2002 to honor Bennett Basore who established the local United Way accreditation procedure to ensure accountability to donors and proper utilization of funds. Big Brothers Big Sisters experienced a 28% growth in quality volunteer “big” enrollment providing more Payne County children with mentoring and tripling its school-based program. They received a $1,000 stipend.
The United Way of Payne County 2025 Annual Meeting celebrated the incredible impact of community. With combined efforts of generous donors, dedicated volunteers and 24 partner agencies, UWPC was able to raise over $1 million that will go directly to supporting critical needs in Payne County.
In her closing remarks, Ormsbee offered a quote by Coretta Scott King to attendees, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
United Way of Payne County brings together individuals and organizations to implement Payne County initiatives focused on producing real results in the areas of Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency. To learn more or donate, visit www.unitedwaypaynecounty.org or call 405-377-2161.
