Michael McLanahan Announced as Excellence in Representation Honoree

Bradford Area High School Senior, Michael McLanahan, has been selected as the United Way of the Bradford Area’s 2013 Excellence in Representation honoree.

McLanahan, who served on the campaign Speaker’s Bureau for the 2012 solicitation efforts, represented CARE for Children. He was nominated by fellow agency representatives, and was approved by the United Way’s Board of Directors.

“Michael was an integral part of the Speaker’s Bureau, having volunteered to speak on eight occasions to nearly 400 individuals,” said Mandi Wilton Davis, executive director. “He profoundly described his own experiences and successes, having been a recipient of CARE for Children’s services for many years.

“He challenged those to whom he spoke to look deep within their hearts – and eventually their wallets – to consider how fortunate we all are to be accepted for who we are and what we accomplish,” Davis continued. “For me, personally, it was such an honor to work alongside Michael – and I will continue to be grateful to him for reminding me that a person’s potential is truly limitless.”

The Excellence in Representation award was created to recognize an outstanding agency representative who best exemplifies United Way’s mission within their own organization, who participates in the annual campaign, and possesses a working knowledge of United Way and how it benefits the various programs and services in the community.

Michael’s involvement with the United Way began back when he was diagnosed with mild Cerebral Palsy at the age of 18 months, and began receiving services through CARE. He made an appearance in the United Way’s “Power of U” campaign video at the age of three, and used his involvement with the United Way as part of his senior project at school. Additionally, he currently serves as the Vice President of the Bradford Area High School’s DECA chapter, and will be competing at the International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, California, at the end of the month. He will be attending St. Bonaventure University in the fall to study Management Science with a minor in Marketing.

The Excellence in Representation award will be given at the United Way’s annual Red Feather Volunteer recognition luncheon on May 1st. Reservations may be made by calling the United Way office.

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