UNITED IN ACTION AWARD
The United in Action Award is the next chapter of a long-standing tradition of honoring individuals and partners who embody service, leadership, and community impact through United Way of Greater Baytown Area & Chambers County.
A New Name, but the Same Spirit of Live United
For many years, this recognition was presented as the LIVE UNITED Award. Beginning with our most recent honoree, the award has been renamed the United in Action Award.
While the name has evolved, the purpose remains the same: to recognize those who go above and beyond to strengthen our community through generosity, leadership, advocacy, and service.
2025 Award Recipient Lori Rumfield
As our media release for her retirement from United Way during our 75th anniversary so perfectly said, “The community knows Lori Rumfield as the lady with the Live United t-shirt and pearls.” We are honored to recognize Lori Rumfield as the first recipient under the newly named United in Action Award. This award is given in appreciation to this volunteer who gives their voice, their service, and their generosity; someone who truly lives united.
Lori is a tireless advocate, a consistent volunteer, and someone who usually says yes when help is needed. She leads with strength, compassion, and a deep belief in lifting every neighbor in our community.
2024 Award Recipient Bethany Credeur
Bethany has been a strong advocate for our work and has been instrumental in ensuring that we always stay true to our mission to be collaborators and partners with the community as we work to tackle community-wide issues. One nominator described her as the person who helps the Board understand how it can provide funding for programs and grow the effectiveness of Team United’s work, while also helping identify areas that need attention and then stepping in to help make it all happen.
Bethany is a donor, sponsor, active volunteer, Finance Committee leader, Treasurer, and officer of our organization. She is a true advocate for United Way and for this community.
2023 Award Recipient Kaley Smith
Kaley fulfills many roles as a donor, advocate, and volunteer with United Way of Greater Baytown Area & Chambers County. In addition to serving as a valued member of our Board of Directors, she also provides leadership as Chair of the Community Impact Committee.
When asked about her commitment to United Way amid so many other responsibilities, Kaley shared that she recognized the organization’s impact in Chambers County and felt compelled to ensure representation for her community. Her dedication and heart for service are exactly what this award was created to honor.
2022 Award Recipient Rusty Senac
Rusty Senac received the 2022 award at United Way of Greater Baytown Area & Chambers County’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Lunch at Lee College. Rusty first became involved when he was serving as a Chambers County Commissioner and joined the steering committee supporting United Way’s Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts.
Since then, he has continued to serve through the Board of Directors, Finance Committee, and Campaign Cabinet. As Rusty shared, “I like to say that we’re neighbors helping neighbors, giving them a hand up. That’s the way we do it in Texas. It’s also part of United Way.”
2021 Award Recipient Guido Persiani
Guido Persiani has supported UWGBACC for more than 40 years. As an enthusiastic and consistent volunteer, Guido has been a cornerstone of community impact. He has served on the Board of Directors, chaired the BACC-DR Task Force, and served multiple terms as Campaign Chair.
Guido’s passion for United Way is evident to everyone who meets him, and we were honored to recognize him with this award.
2020 Recipient BACC-DR Committee
The Baytown Area & Chambers County Disaster Recovery Program (BACC DR) was created to manage the recovery and rebuilding process following Hurricane Harvey in August 2017. BACC DR helped guide critical recovery efforts through policies, processes, fundraising, volunteer management, and direct support during a time of uncertainty.
By the close of the program, 88 homes had been restored and thousands of individuals had received support through a network of services. This award recognized the remarkable efforts of the Steering Committee, volunteer leadership, and community support group behind that work.
2019 Award Recipient Patti O'Neill-Burn
Patti O'Neill-Burn was recognized for going above and beyond as both an active donor and volunteer. As a member of the Board of Directors, Patti served as interim CEO, supported disaster recovery leadership for Baytown Area and Chambers County Disaster Recovery, secured grant support for Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts, and remained active in Women United.
Her dedication made an extraordinary difference to both United Way and the broader community.
2018 LIVE UNITED Award Recipients Nick and Paula Jared
As passionate volunteers, Nick and Paula Jared exemplified what it means to give back to the community. Throughout their lives, they embraced every opportunity to serve, support local programs, and help strengthen the place they called home.
For their selfless gifts of time, talent, and treasure, Nick and Paula were selected as the first-ever recipients of this award and set a powerful example for all future honorees.
