United Way of Hunterdon County 2022 Annual Meeting

Bonnie Duncan has passionately and selflessly served the needs of Hunterdon County’s low- and moderate-income families for 25 years as the leader of United Way of Hunterdon County (UWHC). Throughout her tenure with United Way, Bonnie has been particularly passionate about reducing education, health, and financial stability disparities within our community. In her honor, United Way of Hunterdon County is establishing the Bonnie Duncan Scholarship Fund to support access to post-secondary education and/or certification among Hunterdon County students demonstrating financial need. 

“This is one small way that we can honor Bonnie’s legacy,” said Becky Testa, UWHC Board of Trustees President. “Our objective is to provide at least one $2500 annual scholarship to a deserving student every year.” she said. Duncan will work with a committee of the board to establish qualification and selection criteria, and it is expected that this same committee will oversee the application, selection, and distribution process on an annual basis. 

“Being the leader of this organization has been my life’s work,” said Duncan, “it is such an honor that this scholarship fund is being created in my name.”  

If you would like to join in honoring Bonnie’s legacy, you can donate at uwhunterdon.org/donations and select the “Bonnie Duncan Scholarship Fund” option. 

Resides in: Hunterdon County, on and off for 12 yearsFamily: Wife, Ann and a daughter and a son

Works for: ExxonMobil, Annandale, NJ

UWHC Experience: ExxonMobil Annual Campaign, a Board of Trustees member and a member of the Governance Committee

Superpower: Finding opportunities to work in partnership with the CEO to achieve our mission.

"I care a lot about people and their ability to thrive. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve and give back.  My vision is for UWHC to have the greatest impact possible through programs, partnerships, and advocacy. We are an organization with passion to unite for positive impact."

I look forward to working with the board, our staff, and our partners in the community to make a difference!"

For Barbara Piwinski, volunteering is an integral part of her life. Piwinski, a 28-year resident of Hunterdon County, will be the recipient of the 2022 United Way of Hunterdon County’s (UWHC) Volunteer and Donor of the Year Award.  

This honor is generally awarded to a devoted volunteer, advocate and leader and donor. Piwinski represents all those attributes. 

“Barbara embodies everything that our work is about,” said Bonnie Duncan, CEO of UWHC. “She gives of her time, shares her skills, and annually donates as Tocqueville level donor. Her contribution over the last 10+ years is immeasurable. She has had a hand in nearly every program on some level and has consistently donated over the years.”   

“I came from a middle-class family with five brothers and sisters,” Piwinski said, “I know how hard it is for our ALICE families to make ends meet. United Way is laser focused on families who have fallen through the cracks. It’s so much harder now than it was when we were starting our families.” (Note: ALICE refers to United Way’s acronym: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.) 

Piwinski met Amy Andersen, UWHC’s former Assistant Director of Financial Wellness in 2011. “Amy’s enthusiasm for United Way and its programs was contagious,” Piwinski said. “I decided that I wanted to get involved. I love working with people and getting things organized so that the programs are successful, and the needs of the community are met.”  

From the start, Piwinski dove in to UWHC’s Holiday Hands program, which connects donors with holiday wish lists for its clients. “It was the year that Holiday Hands went from a small program to a larger one and it just exploded,” she said. “Each day we would come and respond to whatever was needed. It was an amazing program. I was just hooked.”  

Over the years, Piwinski has also assisted with the Tools 4 School Program and the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program. “VITA and Holiday Hands were almost completely run by volunteers,” she said. “We served 2500 people with volunteer gifts, and 1350 tax returns were all done by volunteers. With strong leadership and a team of volunteers the most amazing things can be accomplished.”  

Piwinski has served on the Board of Trustees and as both the co-chair and chair of the Resource Development Committee.  

“I’m so proud to be a volunteer with this organization. I want to be a support for them. This is a wonderful place to volunteer. And, having served on a committee and the Board, I know they are good stewards of the donations they receive,” she said.   

Piwinski received her award at UWHC’s annual meeting on June 16th. “It felt so good to present this award to Barbara,” Duncan said, “she has given so much and is so deserving.”