United Way recognizes volunteers at ceremony
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on January 13, 2006 1:48 PM
United Way of Wayne County celebrated its campaign victory for 2005 by holding a recognition ceremony Thursday night at Goldsboro Country Club.
The 2005 campaign chairman, Jane Rustin, made the official announcement that last year's campaign raised a total of $1,430,015. The goal was $1,425,000.
Several businesses were honored with United Way awards.
News-Argus/Becky Barclay
Campaign Chairman Awards were presented to, front from left, Danny Jackson, Jackson and Sons; Gene Paldino, Security Storage; Tim Taylor, AVP Heat Transfer; back from left, Donna Archer, Wayne Memorial Hospital; Dennis Ivey, Piedmont Natural Gas; James Logan, Waukesha Electric; Jody Scarborough, Jackson Builders; and John Lucas, Turkington APV.
Five Bush Andrews Awards were presented. These awards are given to companies where 80 percent of employees give their fair share (one hour's pay per month) with a company match of 50 percent or where 90 percent of employees give their fair share.
Those awards went to the Goldsboro News-Argus, Goldsboro Builders Supply Co., Grand Rental Station, Moffatt Oil Co. and United Way of Wayne County.
Eight local businesses received Campaign Chairman Awards. These awards are given to companies that exemplify and have a positive impact on the campaign. Presenting the awards, Ms. Rustin said "there were some dark times during the campaign and these companies were rays of light."
Receiving awards were Security Storage Co., raising $7,841 to improve 157 lives, a 168 percent increase over last year; Piedmont Natural Gas, $20,788 to improve 415 lives, a 16 percent increase; Wayne Memorial Hospital, $188,339 to improve 3,770 lives, a 17 percent increase; Jackson Builders, $9,431 to improve 189 lives, a 38 percent increase; Jackson and Sons Heating and Air Conditioning, $5,885 to improve 118 lives, a 38 percent increase; Waukesha Electric, $15,290 to improve 305 lives, a 27 percent increase; APV Heat Transfer, $3,825 to improve 76 lives, a 37 percent increase; and Turkington APV, $8,182 to improve 162 lives, a 28 percent increase.
This year's campaign chairman, Geoff Hulse, officially took over the position during the event. He praised the community for stepping up to help United Way make its goal to ensure that local people who need help are able to get it.
"It's just been fantastic how Wayne County, in a tough year economically for the county and with all the major disasters in the world and Hurricane Katrina, people of Wayne County have come together, both big business and the smallest donor, to make this effort," he said. "And it proves once again that United Way crosses all barriers -- race, sex, economic situation -- and everybody in Wayne County kicked in to help those less fortunate than themselves."
Hulse said in the past, planning for the campaign has usually begin mid-year. But plans for this year's campaign will begin very soon. He said the focus is to create awareness of United Way in the community throughout the year as opposed to only during the actual campaign time.
"Every year is different," he said. "We had some years where we didn't meet goal. This year looked like it was going to be one.
"I don't have a crystal ball, but I do believe that the citizens of Wayne County will come through this year as they did last year because we're talking about thousands of lives being affected by the funds. I believe that Wayne County always helps their neighbors. And I look forward to the campaign."