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UNITED WAY OF ANDERSON COUNTY
ANNUAL MEETING AND CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT
United Way of Anderson County (UWAC) hosted their annual meeting and campaign announcement the morning of April 18th. Staff, board members, agencies, volunteers and guests gathered at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge for continental breakfast, networking and UWAC business. The agenda for the morning began with the announcement that UWAC raised $1,277,771 of their $1.4 million dollar goal. This shortage resulted in a $200,000 reduction of dollars allocated to agency partners. UWAC’s message this year “We are all in this together.” The organization is approaching this new campaign year with an agency centered focus. “We want to share with this community all the positive programs and outcomes our agencies provide this community,” said Executive Director, Rick Morrow. This campaign year agencies will host “open houses” so the public can see firsthand their donations at work.
UWAC is taking measures to position themselves for this economic downturn. They are diversifying their revenue by encouraging new fundraising approaches, pursuing major gifts and introducing employee fundraising campaigns at several new businesses. There was a 38% increase in a dozen companies, raising more than $53,000 new campaign dollars. This year UWAC grew their Pillar Society of major donors $1,000+ and secured their second Alexis de Tocqueville donor ($10k annually). UWAC has also taken measures to control expenses. Their operating budget is 1.5% less than it was in 2005. Organizations tend to swell their operations during strong years only to painfully adjust during lean years. UWAC avoided this pitfall and kept expenses moving downward for nearly a decade by increasing efficiency based on best practices in non-profit management.
Along with the financial business, UWAC welcomed new board members: Bonnie Carroll of IIA, Mark Harvey of Cowperwood, Tom Hilton of Y-12 Federal Credit Union, Theresa Myers of PolyOne, Darren Osborne of Regions Bank, Allen Schubert of UCOR, Heidi Timmerman of Oak Ridge Associated Universities and Julie Utterback of Methodist Medical Center. Also honored were outgoing board members, Buzz Patrick of Tech20/20, Gail Mattson, and Jim Rackstraw. This year’s UWAC Volunteer of the Year was Buzz Patrick, recognized for his 6 years on the board of directors and 3 years as the Fund Distribution President.
Each year UWAC selects a community leader to steer the annual campaign. In keeping with their “We’re all in this together” theme, for the first time they have a family serving as campaign chairs. The Crowe family; Edwena of B&W Y-12, Charles, President and CEO of LeGacy Resource Corporation, and their children; Rebecca of ORAU and Nicholas of ORNL have accepted the opportunity. “We are thrilled to have the Crowe family leading the charge this year. They are each deeply committed to this community and having Rebecca and Nicholas leading a new effort to reach young professionals is so exciting!” said 2013 UWAC Board President, Greta Ownby of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.
Outgoing Campaign Chair Tom Hilton of Y-12 Federal Credit Union spoke fondly of his involvement with this year’s campaign and the support and efforts of UWAC staff and volunteers to serve the increasing needs of Anderson County. He also recognized local top ten businesses for running exemplary campaigns, including an additional $11,500 corporate gift from ORNL Federal Credit Union.
UT-Battelle - ORNL $253,242
B&W Y-12 $218,178
Oak Ridge Associated Universities $105,573
American Centrifuge Manufacturing, LLC $60,554
AMETEK Inc. $42,978
ORNL Federal Credit Union $39,183
UCOR $38,327
Y-12 Federal Credit Union $29,600
Bechtel National Inc. $21,380
Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge $19,729
As the morning concluded guests were encouraged to see their dollars at work with an invitation to tour the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge (CMOR). “The Children’s Museum was so generous to host us this morning. Not only were we able to reduce event expenses, but it was a wonderful way to begin our agency centered campaign approach,” said UWAC Resource Development Director, Jennifer Pettyjohn. CMOR Deputy Director, Carroll Welch was busy giving post event tours to many guests who hadn’t yet visited the museum.
UWAC and its 34 community partners with 51 vital programs address three core needs of our community: Basic Human Needs, Youth Development, and the Needs of Seniors.
For more information, visit www.uwayac.org or call 865.483.8431.
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United Way of Anderson County 2012 Campaign Video Link
Produced In Kind by Keith McDaniel, Secret City Films
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Your Dollar Will Make a Difference,
Doing More With Less
--Tom Hilton, 2012 Campaign Chair
In United Way of Anderson County’s 2012 Campaign Video, available online through www.uwayac.org, service recipient Carly says, “I know it’s easy to say you can’t afford it, but you have no idea what I couldn’t afford if it wasn’t for your help….” These economic times have been difficult on all of us and as this recession persists the needs of this community increase. Once middle class families are having to choose between paying the electric bill and buying groceries. We have homebound seniors whose only human contact may be the visit from their home health worker. There are hundreds of children that need safe and affordable afterschool care. We have real problems in this community and United Way of Anderson County has real solutions.
“Raising enough money to sustain services in this coming year is going to take the generous participation of this entire community,” says 2012 UWAC Campaign Chair, Tom Hilton of Y-12 Federal Credit Union. “We were thrilled to hear the theme of the campaign at Oak Ridge National Laboratory this year was 100% participation. Imagine the impact that could be made if EVERY employee in Anderson County gave a dollar a week. A commitment like that could generate $1.8 million!”
What can you do with a dollar? It’s not enough for a cup of coffee, pack of gum or even enough for a soda from a machine anymore. A dollar a week in the hands of UWAC community partners can change lives. “Our community partners are so efficient with their allocations. They are able to use grants, leveraging, matching and such resourceful strategies to serve more with less.” says, Buzz Patrick, UWAC Fund Distribution Chair. Have a look at what your dollars can do in the hands of UWAC’s Community Partners:
$1 per week ($52 year) can provide:
• 32 hours of after school programming for girls in Clinton with Girls Inc.
• 3 families provided garden supplies to grow $1400 of food from Green Thumb
• 3 families provided with furnishings by the Ecumenical Storehouse
$2 per week (approximately $100 per year) can provide:
• 5 children take part in the “Skills for the Future” program at Children’s Museum
• 2 children can participate in the ARC’s summer playground for children with
developmental disabilities
• 2 people receive the Kidney Early Evaluation Program from National Kidney Foundation
$5 per week (approximately $250 per year) can provide:
• 3 youth can participate in the Boys & Girls Club of the Clinch Valley Educational/Social Program
• 1 child receives the support and advocacy in the court system by Court Appointed
Special Advocates (CASA)
• 1 child with Epilepsy can attend camp for a week
If you already give to United Way, THANK YOU, if not, please consider the difference your dollar(s) can make. Together, we can touch lives and create lasting change in our community.
UWAC and its 36 community partners with 63 vital programs address three core needs of our community: Basic Human needs, Youth Development, and the Needs of Seniors.
See other examples of how far your $'s can go!
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