Community raises a record $14.7 million for United Way
|
|
With celebratory musical accompaniment from the Blue Ridge High School marching band, the final tally of $14,712,161 was revealed during a special luncheon Tuesday celebrating the work and contributions of more than 700 workplaces, 1,300 volunteers and approximately 40,000 donors rallying together for the 2010 campaign.
The record-breaking total surpassed the campaign’s own goal of $14.6 million and represents a $700,000 (5 percent) increase over last year’s $14 million effort.
“In a year of record need, we had a record-breaking response in giving,” said Campaign Chair Dick Wilkerson, chairman and president of Michelin North America. “I know this deep level of giving came as a sacrifice to many. At a time when all of us are watching our spending a little closer, the community decided to reach out a helping hand to our neighbors, and our gift of time and money will make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors across Greenville County.”
Dollars raised in the campaign will be used to fund United Way’s efforts to strengthen Greenville County by: 1) helping people in need right now through the funding of 86 local programs working to nurture children, help and encourage youth success, strengthen families and neighborhoods, improve our community’s health, and assist people in times of crisis; and 2) helping eliminate future needs by building strategies and mobilizing partners to improve school readiness for young children, increase high school graduation rates for youth and create financial stability for all.
Margaret Clark, chair of the United Way Board of Trustees, credited the generosity and caring spirit of the community, as well as the campaign’s volunteer leadership, for driving the successful campaign.
“Today is a great day for Greenville County,” said Clark.
During Tuesday’s event, campaign leaders highlighted some of the success stories from the more than 700 workplaces running campaigns. Chief among those stories were the two top campaigns at Fluor Corporation and Michelin North America. Combining employee contributions and corporate gifts, Fluor and Michelin each went over the $1 million mark.
Additionally, three workplace campaigns raised more than $500,000. They are GE Energy, Greenville Hospital System and Greenville County Schools.
Five companies had more than a $75,000 increase in giving during this year’s campaign. They are Michelin North America, Fluor Corporation, GE Energy, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System and Hartness International.
In total, more than 200 campaigns increased their giving over last year. Eleven companies also organized United Way campaigns for the first time this year.
“Even as the economy is showing some signs of recovery, much uncertainty remains,” said Wilkerson. “We cannot choose the times in which we live, but we can choose how we live in the times we are given. Through this campaign, we’ve demonstrated that we choose to live united, and to give back to the community and the people who need us most.”
