Kimbrough Middleton was a little worried when a “surprise” meeting with his boss was called for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

It turns out the surprise was all about him.

“I feel really gullible right now,” said Middleton, who was honored along with his company, Kimberly-Clark, with the United Way “Live United” award.

“There are a lot of good folks at this company and I accept this award on behalf of all of them.”

Plant manager Steve Will said he was pleased to see his company - and Middleton - recognized.

“When I came to the company for the first time, you were one of the most passionate people about the United Way,” he said.

The company turns its campaign into a fun event for all its employees under Middleton’s leadership. It has driving range competitions of hitting golf balls across a lake on the property, ice cream sales and cookouts.

“I’ve just about got to the point where I can cook a good steak on the grill,” Middleton said jokingly.

Middleton also volunteers with Literacy Volunteers of America and he and his wife, Teresa, are longtime givers to the United Way of West Georgia campaign. The local United Way is doing things a little differently this year; instead of an awards banquet, four local businesses and a United Way agency are being recognized with a “Live United” award. Each company was asked to nominate an individual employee for a “Live United” award. The winners exemplify the Live United motto: give, advocate, volunteer.

“Fundraising is the easy part,” Middleton said. “The United Way board is just spectacular. It’s a great committee built by great citizens.”

The awards this week wrap up the 2008 fundraising campaign, which raised just over $1 million of a $1.2 million goal for the United Way of West Georgia.

Jennifer Shrader may be reached at jshrader@ lagrangenews.com or at (706) 884-7311, Ext. 236.