SEPTEMBER 2007

united way Kicks off 2007 campaign

Results of 24 Pacesetter Companies Gets Campaign Off to a Great Start!

More than 1,400 volunteers and representatives from local businesses and organizations were on hand today as United Way of Greenville County officially kicked off its 2007 Community Campaign. 

One of the highlights of the event was the announcement of the results of the 2007 Pacesetter Campaign. Pacesetters are those companies that ran workplace campaigns early, both to get the campaign off to a running start and challenge other companies to participate in workplace campaigns.

“The Pacesetter Campaign results that are showcased today represent a terrific start for United Way’s 2007 community campaign,” said Engle.  “The 24 Pacesetter companies had the collectively ambitious goal of raising 10% more than they raised last year. To date, these companies, through their employee campaigns and corporate gifts, have raised $3,481,437 (24% of the $14.5 million goal).  These early results are tremendous, ensuring that this year's campaign is off to an exciting, fast-paced start.  Many thanks to these companies and their employees for their hard work and their unparalleled giving spirit.”

World-renowned opera soprano—and Greenville resident—Sarah Reese provided a motivational keynote address that illustrated the importance of ensuring that services are available in our community to help individuals, families and neighborhoods in need.

For the 11^th consecutive year, Erwin-Penland, Inc. has provided pro-bono creative input and direction to help United Way tell its story in the community.  At Kickoff, Joe Erwin, President of Erwin-Penland, Inc. unveiled the 2007 video and print campaign which will be used to illustrate the positive, long-lasting impact donors can have when they contribute to United Way.  Real stories of real people are at the heart of this year’s campaign.

Engle concluded the meeting by thanking everyone for their continued support and issuing a final challenge. “Pacesetter Companies and their employees have made their commitment and challenged the rest of our community to join with them in ensuring that individuals, families and neighborhoods in need get the opportunity to find help, to grow, and to thrive.  Please, take a moment to consider your own financial commitment to the community. If you already support United Way of Greenville County, we thank you for your past support and appreciate your continued generosity.  If you've never given before, please consider making a gift this year.  You will truly make a lasting difference in the lives of those around you.” 

The 2007 United Way of Greenville County campaign runs through November 12, 2007.  Please call 864.467.3537 to find out how you and your company can get involved.

august 2007

united way celebrates women's leadership

City of Greenville Police Chief Terri Wilfong Serves as Keynote Speaker

At a special women-only event, nearly 700 community leaders were recognized for their volunteer efforts and their philanthropic contributions to the community through United Way. 

As members of United Way Women's Leadership, they have contributed $1,000 or more to benefit the 95 programs United Way funds in our community.  The event celebrated the power that women have in shaping our community and making it a better, stronger place to live, grow and work.  Through United Way Women's Leadership, 932 women contributed $1.27 million to United Way in 2006.  United Way has used these dollars to support 95 local programs that are working to achieve results in the issues that matter most to all of us. 

Terri Wilfong, the first woman Police Chief of the City of Greenville, was the keynote speaker.  Wilfong spoke about the community, women's issues including domestic violence and sexual assault, and how important it is for women to take a leadership role in shaping their community.  

Attendees were also encouraged to participate in a special “Wear One, Bring One” initiative.  When a woman needs to leave her home due to abuse or other crisis, she typically leaves with nothing more than the clothes on her back.  Attendees were asked to bring one new bra and one new pair of panties to the luncheon. Thanks to their generosity, nearly 700 sets of underwear were collected and will be distributed to women in need at a local women’s shelter.

united way/BI-LO School tools program a great success

3,000 Students in Need Receive School Supplies and Bookbags Necessary to Start School

(Greenville, SC)…Giving kids the tools they need to succeed in school – and in life.  That’s the ultimate goal of “United Way School Tools.”  Sponsored by BI-LO, the program is designed to give students of low-income families the school supplies needed to start school ready to learn.  With all results tallied, 3,000 children will receive supplies through the project.  This represents the largest school supply drive United Way has had in the eight-year history of the project.

Approximately 70 local companies participated this year.  Employees at participating companies selected names of children who have qualified for School Tools — students who might not have the opportunity to get the supplies they need to begin the school year otherwise.  Employees then filled grocery bags with supplies which were collected at the end of July.  Supplies are currently being sorted and given to United Way partner agencies so that they can be distributed to children in time to begin the new school year.

BI-LO is playing a critical leadership role in the project, providing a free book bag to each of the 3,000 kids to go along with their school supplies.  In addition, BI-LO will provide a pack of pencils for each child.  BI-LO employees are also participating in the project by providing school supplies to 50 students. 

“We are thrilled to partner with the United Way School Tools Program,” said Brian Hotarek, CEO of BI-LO. “Kids shouldn’t have to worry about having the school supplies they need, and we consider the free BI-LO book bags a great investment in the future of each child receiving one.”

Margaret Clark, United Way Board member and Vice Chairman of United Way’s Community Impact Cabinet, praised the commitment of the 70 companies involved in this year’s project.  “Our community owes great thanks to the employees of the companies who participated in ‘School Tools’ this year.  The project’s success is a direct result of their commitment to caring and dedication to making a difference.”

About BI-LO, LLC:

BI-LO, LLC employs approximately 2,700 teammates in the 22 Greenville County stores and the corporate office.  BI-LO and its employees are committed to making a difference in the communities where they live and work.  Among their many efforts, BI-LO employees participate in the annual United Way Community Campaign, where they consistently rank among the five largest employee campaigns in total dollars contributed to United Way.  To learn more about BI-LO, LLC visit www.bi-lo.com

About United Way of Greenville County:

United Way of Greenville County works to solve the most critical problems facing our community.  Through uniting donors, volunteers, partner agencies, local businesses and organizations, United Way works to improve lives through achieving measurable results in the five focus areas our community has said matter most:  Nurturing young children, Strengthening families & neighborhoods, Building a healthy community, Helping youth succeed, and Caring for neighbors in crisis.  It’s all part of United Way’s commitment to what matters—improving lives and the life of our entire community. To learn more about United Way of Greenville County, visit www.unitedwaygc.org or call 864.467.3333.

JULY 2007

United way announces 2007 campaign goal

Community Campaign will Officially Begin Sept. 6

United Way volunteer leadership has set the goal for the 2007 United Way of Greenville County campaign.  The Board of Trustees approved a goal of $14,500,000, which represents a 3% increase over the $14,050,239 raised during the 2006 campaign.  Campaign Chairman Bill Engle, of Baldor Dodge Reliance, is leading this year’s campaign. 

“Through contributing to United Way, each one of us has the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than any one of us could accomplish alone—the united effort to impact Greenville County and its future,” said Engle.  “Volunteers have worked hard to set a goal that both communicates the extent of the need here in Greenville County and challenges each of us to help our neighbors in need.  Achieving this 2007 campaign goal is important for United Way’s work to continue creating lasting change for our community on the issues that matter most to all of us.  Every single contribution will be critical.”

Engle cites the outstanding work of the volunteers as critical to achieving a successful campaign.  “Volunteers are the lifeblood and driving force of United Way,” he said.  “Without the time and dedication of volunteer leadership the campaign could not be successful.  Special thanks to the companies who have generously shared the time and talents of some of their best and brightest employees.  In the coming weeks, these talented individuals will serve as United Way Loaned Executives to help to ensure that workplace campaigns have all of the support and resources they need to run smoothly and effectively.”

The 2007 Campaign Kickoff will take place at the Carolina First Center on September 6th.  The Keynote speaker will be Greenville resident and world-renowned soprano Sarah Reese, the featured soprano on the 1993 Grammy Award-winning recording that featured Samuel Barber’s “The Lovers” and “The Prayers of Kierkegaard.”

Also at Kickoff, the results of 26 Pacesetter company campaigns will be announced (a listing of all Pacesetter companies is attached).  These Pacesetter companies have agreed to run their campaigns early, effectively getting the campaign off to a running start and challenging other companies to join with them to make this year’s campaign successful.

The 2006 community campaign will run through November 12th.  If you or your company is interested in learning more about how to participate, please contact United Way of Greenville County at (864) 467-3333.

may 2007

United Way invests dollars in key community focus areas

2007-08 Program Funding Decisions Announced

In 2003, United Way completed a survey of Greenville County residents, conducted focus groups with local agencies, and examined local and state data to determine the greatest needs of the community.  Based on this research, United Way and community partners identified the following focus areas:  Nurturing Young Children; Strengthening Families & Neighborhoods; Building a Healthy Community; Helping Youth Succeed; and Caring for Neighbors in Crisis.  Programs receiving funding must be working toward achieving success in one or more of these priority areas.

Nurturing Young Children 2007-08 Funding Overview

•  $1,860,000 is being invested in programs working in this focus area.

•  30% of total dollars support quality child development programs or opportunities to enhance quality

•  17% of total dollars focus on parenting resources and family literacy programming where outcomes benefit the parent and child

•   53% of total dollars supports the continuum of care for children with developmental delays including early identification and appropriate referral

Strengthening Families & Neighborhoods 2007-08 Funding Overview

•   $1,250,000 is being invested in programs working in this focus area.

•   69% of total dollars are directed to exemplary programs focused on employment skills development

•   24% of total dollars support programs that address affordable housing for low-wealth families through counseling and case management, neighborhood development, and housing production

•    Impact of new dollars will allow programs to increase capacity and enhance impact in the community by reaching additional participants and providing case management

Building a Healthy Community 2007-08 Funding Overview

•    $1,460,000 is being invested in programs working in this focus area.

•    57% of total dollars are directed to the highest priority of access to quality and affordable medical, mental and wellness care for uninsured and underinsured citizens

•    42% of total dollars support programs focused on improving the lives of seniors and persons with disabilities through supportive services and activities that promote healthy daily living

•    Impact of new dollars will allow programs to increase capacity and enhance impact in the community

Helping Youth Succeed 2007-08 Funding Overview

•    $1,750,000 is being invested in programs working in this focus area.

•    63% of total funds support programs that are focused on student achievement and high school completion

•    30% of total funds are directed to programs that provide resources to support extracurricular activities and mentoring  for youth to enhance life skills and character development

•    Changes in programming at the Urban League increased funding to strategies addressing juvenile crime prevention

Caring for Neighbors in Crisis 2007-08 Funding Overview

•    $1,150,000 is being invested in programs working in this focus area.

•    41% of total dollars support programs that increase awareness of interpersonal violence through education, prevention, and intervention

•    47% of total dollars support programs providing direct assistance to persons in crisis in our community

•    12% of total dollars focus on preparedness efforts and disaster responses that are critical to assisting persons in crisis

This is the second year in a three-year funding cycle.  Because United Way has challenged partner agencies to strive to look longer term, and focus on achieving measurable outcomes, United Way made the commitment to a 3-year funding cycle.  Giving the agency a longer-term commitment signified United Way’s recognition that it would take longer than a single year to implement the new outcome measurement tools and processes.  A scaled back review process was still conducted by trained community volunteers to ensure that dollars were being used effectively and appropriately and that the programs were on track.  

In the funding year 2007-08, 95 programs provided by local agencies will receive funding beginning on July 1, 2007. 

FEBRUARY 2007

United Way Recognized nationally

United Way of Greenville County earns top rating for financial performance

     Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator, has awarded United Way of Greenville County its highest rating, a four-star rating, for maintaining sound fiscal management.

     “We set for ourselves high standards of efficiency and fundraising effectiveness,” said Ted Hendry president of United Way of Greenville County. “It is nice, however, when an outside organization characterizes our achievements as exceptional and states that our performance differentiates United Way of Greenville County from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.”

     United Way of Greenville County announced in November 2006 that it exceeded its 2006 campaign goal by raising more than $14 million. In addition to promoting early childhood learning and attacking issues such as ensuring quality health care and increasing the high school graduation rate in our community, United Way connects people in need to services through United Way HelpLine and through partnerships with more than 50 local nonprofit organizations. In 2006, United Way provided funding to 90 programs across Greenville County.

JANUARY 2007

local companies & organizations recognized

United Way Honors Area Businesses at Awards Celebration

    Michelin North America was recognized with a special #1 award for its outstanding campaign, which was the largest workplace campaign in Greenville County.  Michelin employees contributed $755,329 in this year’s campaign.  When combined with their corporate gift, Michelin North America contributed $935,528 to this community through United Way. 

    Special “#1 Awards” were also presented to six companies, whose outstanding support of the United Way placed them first in total employee contributions. 

• 2 to 24 Employees:  The Puckett Group, Inc.      

• 25 to 99 Employees:  Wyche Burgess Freeman &      Parham, P.A.

• 100-199 Employees:  Bowater Incorporated

• 200-499 Employees:  Carolina First Bank            

• 500+ Employees:  Rockwell Automation Power Systems – Headquarters

     Bill Engle, of Rockwell Automation Power Systems-Dodge Gear, was introduced as the Chairman for the 2007 campaign.

NOVEMBER 2006

2006 Community Campaign a tremendous success!

Community gives more than $14 million to impact the issues that matter most

     United Way of Greenville County has surpassed its $13.725 million goal, raising $14,050,239 to serve the community in 2007.  These results signify 102% of goal and a 6% increase over last year’s campaign.  They also represent both the most successful United Way campaign ever in Greenville County and the largest ever in the state of South Carolina.

     “This past year I have seen an unparalleled commitment to helping others,” said 2006 Campaign Chairman Jim Akerhielm, President of NuVox Communications, Inc.  “The citizens of Greenville County, through their support of United Way, have sent an inspiring message that should make us all proud.  Our community remains unsurpassed in its commitment to helping others.” 

august 2006