ROANOKE, VA—United Way of Roanoke Valley Campaign Chair Danielle Yarber announced today the 2002 annual Campaign is projected to finish at $6.45 million.

Yarber, Vice President and General Manager of xpedx, made this announcement before 300 volunteers at United Way’s annual campaign celebration.  According to Yarber a weak economy affected our fundraising efforts.

“With the struggling economy and loss of jobs, we have experienced a growing demand for human care services.  Our main goal from the beginning of this campaign was to inform people about the growing needs in our Valley, let them know that we are achieving significant results and ask for their support,” said Yarber.   “We now want to say thank you to all the donors and volunteers who gave their time, talent and treasure to make this campaign a success.  Our donors can be assured their dollars will be invested to give hope and improve lives throughout the Valley,” she added. “With all of the challenges we faced this year, we were fortunate to have Danielle Yarber as our campaign chair,” said Frank Rogan, President of the United Way of Roanoke Valley.  Danielle was an inspiring and passionate leader and a tenacious fundraiser.  We never would have raised this amount of money without her leadership,” he said. United Way of Roanoke Valley’s ability to raise such a large amount of money is the result of an extensive volunteer network of over 1,000 people from the community.  The organization’s ability to invest these dollars is equally effective.   

United Way gifts will be invested in a network of over 70 results-driven programs that effectively provide services to 80,000 people across the Roanoke Valley.  Over 100 trained volunteers, knowledgeable about the needs in the community, will recommend funding for programs that do the most good. United Way’s board of directors will approve these decisions at their June meeting.   One of the highlights of the year was the United Way Pacesetter Campaign chaired by Paul Klasing, Executive Vice President of Advance Auto Parts.  The Pacesetters were comprised of 41 companies who started their campaigns in August and utilized proven campaign practices.  Pacesetters raised a total of $909,972 for a 6% increase.  Among the most successful was Optical Cable, which achieved the largest percentage increase of 658%, raising $19,611.  In addition, one of the largest Pacesetters in total dollars was The Spectacle Lens Group of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, which raised $130,954 for a 23% increase. This total includes a dollar for dollar corporate matching gift. Many United Way partner agencies also ran successful Pacesetter campaigns.  “United Way partner agencies proved that they are not only champions of caring but they are also champions in giving.  We are truly grateful for all they do to improve the quality of life in our community,” said Rogan.         

During the celebration honoring volunteers, donors and companies who helped United Way, top awards were presented to the following for their respective contributions:

Spirit of Community Award – presented to the company for extraordinary support it lends to United Way and the community.  This award was presented to The Spectacle Lens Group of Johnson and Johnson, Vision Care, Inc. for their 95% employee participation in giving to United Way, their strong support of the Loaned Executive Program and also for their Days of Caring volunteer efforts.  

Cornerstone Awards – presented to companies whose total giving is between $250,000-$499,000.  They included Advance Auto Parts, Carilion Health System, First Union/Wachovia Bank and Norfolk Southern.

Shining Star Awards – presented to United Way Partner Agencies who conducted outstanding employee campaigns and went above and beyond in their effort and support of the community-wide campaign.  They include Big Brothers Big Sisters, Family Service of Roanoke Valley and YWCA of Roanoke Valley. 

Dollars raised during the United Way campaign are invested in health and human service programs in Roanoke, Botetourt, and Craig counties, and the cities of Roanoke and Salem, and the town of Vinton. The organization’s mission is to unite people and resources to improve lives.