United Way thanks campaign supporters at Celebration Event

Roanoke, VA—A festive crowd of almost 400 United Way of Roanoke Valley volunteers gathered at the Wyndham Hotel today to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2004 community campaign.   

 United Way of Roanoke Valley Campaign Chair John Heitz announced that the Power of One campaign is projected to raise $6,321,403.

“This is an important step in our goal to make a greater impact on the Roanoke Valley ,” said Heitz. “Today is my chance to thank all of our donors and volunteers who pulled together to achieve this great result.” 

Within the coming weeks, volunteers will begin the community investment process of deciding how to share funds among health and human service programs operated by United Way partner agencies, the campaign chair explained.

“Thank you for choosing to invest in producing results you can see for our citizens,” Heitz said. He cited examples of after-school programs, family counseling, and senior care programs that touched almost 10,000 people last year. “This is what you and I do as United Way : we build a stronger community.”

During the celebration to honor volunteers, donors and companies that help United Way , more than 100 awards were presented. Top honors went to the following:

Roanoke Development and Housing Authority received the Spirit of Community Award, given to a company showing extraordinary support to United Way and the community. Already in the business of community building, authority employees use United Way as another way to express their mission. Since 2001, campaign participation has grown from 39 to 100 percent and many volunteer for Days of Caring, community investment panels and to run dynamic, fun campaigns. This year’s total was $6,000 ahead of the 2003 campaign, raised by the same number of employees.

Carilion Health System was honored with the Milestone Award for a campaign exceeding half a million dollars. The $512,455 contributed by employees is the most United Way money ever raised by a Roanoke Valley business.

Cornerstone Awards went to three companies whose total gifts ranged from $250,000 to $499,000.  Winners were Advance Auto Parts, Wachovia Bank and Norfolk Southern.

The Community Builder Award was presented to Rev. William Lee, pastor of Loudon Avenue Christian Church and a United Way board member. He was honored for sustained contributions to improving life in the Roanoke Valley by inspiring collaboration to achieve measurable results in addressing real community needs.

    A new Power of One Award was earned by 13 companies who accepted the campaign chair’s challenge to give one percent of salary.  

Heitz presented Campaign Chair Awards to four companies with outstanding campaign achievement: First Team Auto Mall, Integrated Textile Solutions, Plastics One and Woods, Roger, PLC.

Leadership Giving Awards went to three companies with high numbers of donors giving $500 or more: Friendship retirement Community, Kroger Mid-Atlantic and TM GE Automation Systems.

First Time Employee Campaign Awards went Metalsa Roanoke for the private sector and the Western Virginia Water Authority from the public sector.

The Salem VA Medical Center received the Combined Federal Campaign Chair Award for its leadership in the federal employees charitable drive that is managed by United Way of Roanoke Valley .

The Shining Star Award for a United Way Partner Agency that excelled in supporting the 2004 campaign went to the Adult Care Center of the Roanoke Valley .

 “We are very grateful for these funds that were generously donated by almost 30,000 donors. It is a wonderful expression of our community’s collective compassion for those who are most vulnerable,” said Frank Rogan, President and CEO of United Way of Roanoke Valley . 

 “And at the end of the day it is all about working together so that we can move closer to our vision where all children and youth are healthy, all families are strong, all seniors live with respect and dignity and everybody has food and a decent place to live,” Rogan added.

 Funds raised during the United Way campaign are invested in health and human service programs in Botetourt, Craig and Roanoke counties, Roanoke, Salem and Vinton. The organization’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of people in our community.