Sioux Empire United Way has had many outstanding volunteers throughout its history. These volunteers serve Sioux Empire United Way in many capacities including reviewing needs in the community, raising funds, allocating funds and distributing funds. Past award winners are listed below.
David Birkeland Memorial Award
- Dan Kirby (1993)
- Janice Nicolay (1994)
- Larry Ritz (1995)
- Marvin Bailin (1996)
- Gary Olson (1997)
- Doris L. Huseboe (1998)
- Charisse Oland (1999)
- Denise Moberly (2000)
- Rich Garry (2001)
- Bill Baker (2002)
- Dave Link (2003)
- Sue Brown (2004)
- David Rozenboom (2005)
- Dana Dykhouse (2006)
- Pam Hanneman (2007)
- Ron Moquist (2008)
- Rod Carlson (2009)
- Tom Simmons (2010)
Larry Oppold Memorial Award
- Arlene Thoms, Timothy's House of Hope (1994)
- Barbara Carol Palmer, Family Service (1995)
- Carolyn Downs, The Banquet (1996)
- Marlene Weires, Children's Inn (1997)
- Dave Loving, Children's Home Society (1998)
- Jerry Bomhoff, Community Outreach (1999)
- Eileen Van Soest, Sioux Vocational Services (2000)
- Susan Brucklacher, Heartland House (2001)
- Art War Bonnet, American Indian Services (2002)
- Qadir Aware, Multi-Cultural Center (2003)
- Thomas Walsh, Lutheran Social Services (2004)
- Janet Kittams Lally, HELP!Line Center (2005)
- Marcia VanGinkel, Furniture Mission (2006)
- Mel Harrington, Lutheran Social Services (2007)
- Wendy Giebink, Sioux Falls School District (2008)
- Hugh Grogan, Minnehaha County Human Services (2009)
- Anne Rieck McFarland, South Dakota Achieve (2010)
Helen E. (Oppold) Blair Award
- Kayleen Nickel, Bright Start Nurse Home Visitation Program (2005)
- Vicki Burger, Child Protection Services (2006)
- Jonathan Carda, School Resource Officer, Sioux Falls Police Department (2007)
- Erin Baker-Daggett, Children's Inn & Bright Start (2008)
- Sheryl Barnett, Volunteers of America-Dakotas (2009)
Judge Gene Paul Kean (2009)
- Colleen Brazil, Child's Voice (2010)
Heart Club Philanthropist Award
- Herb Bowden (1993)
- Dr. Richard Friess (1994)
- Richard Cutler (1995)
- Les Scherschligt (1996)
- Jeff Scherschligt (1997)
- Dan Kirby (1998)
- Dave Christensen (1999)
- David Link (2000)
- Denny Sanford (2001)
- John Keilholz (2002)
- Karla Johnson (2003)
- John Morrell (2004)
- T. Denny Sanford (2005)
- Dan Kirby (2006)
- Ray Trankle (2007)
- Scott Lawrence (2008)
- Dick Birath (2009)
- Larry Ritz (2010)
Volunteer of the Year Award
- Lonnie Arthur (1991)
- Laurie Arthur (1992)
- Wayne Steinhauer (1993)
- Illa Biteler (1994)
- Judy Meisinger (1995)
- Mary Frederick (1996)
- Scott & Frances Christensen (1997)
- Pam Hanneman (1998)
- Sharon Oliver (1999)
- Tim Murphy (2000)
- Stephanie Miller-Davis (2001)
- Deb Hayes (2002)
- Betty Ordal (2003)
- Deb Johnson (2004)
- Deb Thompson (2005)
- Carl Wynja (2006)
- Joel Sylvester and Brent Weiler (2007)
- Suzy Collignon-Hodgen (2008)
- Sue Aguilar (2009)
- Jeri Breck (2010)
Business of the Year Award
- Raven Industries (1995)
- Citibank (1996)
- First PREMIER Bank (1997)
- Norwest (1998)
- The First National Bank in Sioux Falls (1999)
- John Morrell & Co. (2000)
- Wells Fargo Financial Bank (2001)
- John Morrell & Co. (2002)
- 2003
- 1-100 First American Bank & Trust
- 101-500 US Bank
- 500+ Sioux Valley Hospital & Health System AND Wells Fargo Financial Bank
- 2004
- 1-100 Metavante
- 101-500 Youth Enrichment Services AND Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society's National Campus
- 500+ Avera McKennan Hospital AND Employees of the City of Sioux Falls
- 2005
- 1-100 Johnstone Supply
- 101-500 Bell Incorporated
- 500+ Wells Fargo Financial Bank
- 2006
- 1-100 First Dakota National Bank
- 101-500 Gage Brothers
- 500+ LodgeNet Entertainment Corp.
- 2007
- 1-100 Architectural Roofing & Sheetmeal
- 101-500 Great Western Bank
- 500+ CIGNA Tel-Drug
- 2008
- 1-100 SDN Communications
- 101-500 U.S. Bank
- 500+ Sammons Financial Group
- 2009
- 1-100 CorTrust Bank
- 101-500 Home Federal Bank
- 500+ First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard
- 2010
- 1-100 Reliamax Insurance
- 101-500 Midco Connections
- 500+ First John Morrell & Company
Rich Garry Rookie of the Year
- Wayne Muth (2006)
- Deenis Beeman (2007)
- Tim Braithwaite (2008)
- Jill Nelson (2009)
- Aaron Knigge (2010)