United Way Campaign Kickoff Scores Million-Dollar Start

(August 30, 2006)          United Way of Roanoke Valley donors and volunteers have hit a home run for hope. A new record – more than $1.2 million – was raised by Pacesetters and early gifts to kick off the annual United Way community campaign at the August 30 Salem Avalanche baseball game.

As the stadium scoreboard lit up with “$1,216,694,” volunteer campaign chair Harold McLeod, Wachovia Roanoke President, and Paul Klasing, Vice President-Stores for Advance Auto Parts and Pacesetter Campaign chair, threw ceremonial opening pitches, marking the first United Way kickoff to be celebrated at a Salem Avalanche baseball game.

In a pre-game gathering to celebrate results of early season Pacesetter campaigns at 40 local companies and United Way partner agencies, McLeod expressed appreciation for the record results. “This is the most Pacesetter money ever raised in a United Way campaign in the Roanoke Valley,” he said. “It’s an encouraging sign that people are willing to rally in support of our local campaign to help local people.”

McLeod noted that last year’s campaign which raised $6.2 million enabled more than 70,000 Roanoke Valley citizens to get help with a range of health and human service needs. “The United Way Impact Fund is proven to be the best way to help the most people in our community,” he said. “Thousands more will need our help in the year ahead, and campaign season is the time to commit to sharing in meeting those needs.”

United Way Kickoff sponsors and partners include Kroger, the City of Salem and Salem Avalanche, and SunnyFM Radio. Invited guests include leaders and campaign managers representing almost 500 Roanoke Valley businesses, United Way leaders and other volunteers.

United Way of Roanoke Valley supports a network of 64 health and human service programs operated by 27 partner agencies. Services are available to residents of Roanoke, Salem, Vinton and the counties of Botetourt, Craig and Roanoke. The United Way mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of people in the community.