Three businesses were recognized Thursday evening for their contributions to the United Way in Fort Dodge.

These businesses received the 2024 Outstanding Pacesetter Company Award: Decker Truck Line Inc., Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota and Valero Renewables.

The awards were presented by Randy Kuhlman, chief executive officer of the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way.

He also recounted some of the successes of the past year, including raising about $40,000 in a short period to pay for the state’s first Safe Haven Baby Box installed in the Fort Dodge firehouse. The box provides an option for a desperate parent who wants to give up their baby for adoption. They can place the child in the box, and the firefighter/paramedics will take it to UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center, starting the process that will place the infant in a new home.