United Way close to goal
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on January 29, 2004 2:01 PM
United Way fell short of its 2003 goal by less than $15,000 in a year that campaign organizers said was one of its toughest ever.
"With all the obstacles we faced last year, I feel we did reach our goal," said campaign Chairman Hal Tanner III.
Tanner announced that the campaign raised $1,300,056 at a recognition reception Wednesday night at the Goldsboro Country Club.
This is 98.9 percent of the goal.
During the event, Bush Andrews Awards were presented to four local organizations -- the Goldsboro News-Argus, Wayne Realty and Insurance Co., Moffatt Oil Co. and United Way.
The award is one of the highest and most prestigious awards the United Way gives, said Dave Parsons, United Way president. Its purpose is to encourage all corporations and public and private organizations to strive for campaign excellence.
Bush Andrews Awards are given to businesses having 80 percent of employees giving their "fair share" -- one hour's pay a month -- with a corporate match of 50 percent or having 90 percent of its employees giving their fair share.
Tanner praised these organizations saying that "every great United Way campaign is difficult to do, but you all seem to have found the magic."
Campaign Chairman Awards were presented to seven businesses. This award is given for an outstanding campaign. Recipients were:
*Wayne County government for raising $33,423, which will help more than 668 people. This was a 13.4 percent increase with five leadership givers, which consists of a donation of more than $500.
*Wayne Community College for raising $23,502, which will help 470 people. This was a 26 percent increase with 12 leadership givers.
*Cooper-Standard Automotive for raising $21,866, which will help 437 people. This was a 122 percent increase with seven leadership givers.
*Wayne County public schools for raising $73,795, which will help 1,475 people. This was a 22 percent increase with 12 leadership givers.
*Pate Dawson Co. for raising $7,506, which will help 150 people. This was a 25 percent increase with two leadership givers.
*NCNG for raising $13,478, which will help 269 people. This was a 123 percent increase with five leadership givers.
*The Goldsboro News-Argus for raising $19,199, which will help 383 people. This was a 9 percent increase with 10 leadership givers.
The News-Argus also received a special recognition plaque for being a Bush Andrews Award winner for the past 30 years.
Donnie Barnes, the campaign vice chairman, presented the award. "There are very few organizations that support the United Way campaign at the level of the Bush Andrews Award," he said. "It takes commitment, CEO leadership and encouragement to motivate everyone to dig deep down and make a contribution. The News-Argus has demonstrated this since 1973."
Parsons said that 2003, like 2002, was a year of challenges for United Way. "The campaign cabinet and volunteers decided to do what was best for our county and its residents and make this campaign a success."
Tanner praised the thousands of individuals and hundreds of corporations and businesses who supported the 2003 campaign. He also lauded the loaned executives who conducted employee campaigns that accounted for two-thirds of the general campaign.
Last year's campaign saw six new participants: Grand Rental Station, Thompson Lubricants, New Century Bank, Eastpointe, town of Mount Olive and Boling Furniture. They received Inaugural Awards.
Tanner said the numbers are great, but that's not really what's important. "The number one most important number is, that one young person who has a safe place to go after school while his mother, a single parent, works," he said.
"It's that one elderly person who has a meal delivered to his home so he can continue to live independently. It's that one family that gets back on its feet after a job loss.'
He emphasized that United Way is about "you raising money together and caring together. United Way is a means of giving someone hope, security, encouragement."