Greenville County shows compassion, generosity

By Annette Allen
Originally published 11/27/2011 in The Greenville News (subscription required).

Earlier this month we officially wrapped up United Way of Greenville County’s 2011 campaign by announcing a new record in giving for our community at more than $15.2 million. Not only is this tremendous display of support a record-breaker for Greenville County, but we are proud to say it is also the largest United Way campaign ever in South Carolina.

While this level of support is unprecedented, it is certainly not surprising.

Of the many things that make Greenville County such a wonderful place to live, near the top of that list is the compassion and generosity of its people. When we see a neighbor in need, we reach out a hand to help. When we see a way to make our community stronger, we step up and take action.

This year, approximately 36,000 of us did exactly that by giving to United Way of Greenville County. Collectively, we raised $15,218,332 — approximately $500,000 more than last year’s record total — which will be used to address the still record levels of need being experienced in our community.

Specifically, these financial resources will be used to help people in need right now through the funding of 87 local programs. These programs provide essential services every day that nurture children, help and encourage youth success, strengthen families and neighborhoods, improve our community’s health, and assist people in times of crisis.

The funds will also be used to further United Way’s efforts to eliminate future needs by working to improve school readiness for young children, increase high school graduation rates for youth and create financial stability for all.

It truly has been a great honor and a privilege to serve as the chair of this campaign. Besides knowing the tremendous impact the money raised will have on people here at home, one of the highlights of being campaign chair is that you get to work with lots of wonderful volunteers who feel just as passionately about United Way. This is not a one-person operation — far from it. In the 12 months it takes to organize and orchestrate this 10-week public campaign, more than 1,300 volunteers team up to pull it off.

It starts with the Campaign Cabinet. The 27-member cabinet began their work right after the close of last year’s campaign. They continued to lead and guide the process all the way through until the end.

Thanks also go to the 79 corporate solicitors who lay the early groundwork for success by calling on local CEOs to recruit support, and the 34 loaned executives borrowed from companies across the community who donate their time and skills.

The campaign coordinators also deserve our gratitude for their effort. More than 700 campaign coordinators see to every detail of their workplace campaigns and are some of our biggest advocates and supporters.

Leading the effort were the campaigns at Fluor Corporation and Michelin North America. Employee giving at each corporation topped the million-dollar mark, becoming the first two campaigns to ever reach that lofty position. With their corporate gifts included, Fluor and Michelin each contributed more than $1.5 million to the community through United Way.

For the third year in a row, the Greenville Hospital System employees raised more than $900,000 for the community, while GE Energy’s corporate match and employee giving totaled more than $750,000.

Another highlight came from Greenville County Schools. Our teachers and school personnel continue to support United Way’s work with great generosity, raising over $525,000 in 2011.

And finally, this amazing result could not have happened without the 36,000 individual men and women in Greenville County who generously gave to this campaign. At a time when all of us are watching our spending a little closer, you showed your commitment to the community by choosing to give to United Way. We sincerely thank you for that.

If you didn’t have a chance to be a part of the campaign this year, you can still give online. I also invite you to stay involved and engaged with United Way throughout the year by advocating for issues critical to the future of our community and by taking advantage of some of the many opportunities to volunteer provided by United Way’s Hands On Greenville.

As we enter the holiday season, your gift gives us great reason to celebrate, and know that many in our community — most of whom you will never meet — will be thankful for your compassion and generosity.

Annette Allen, vice president and general manager of Fluor Corporation in Greenville, served as chair of the 2011 campaign.