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United Way Thanks Campaign Supporters at Celebration Event

Roanoke, VA—A festive crowd of more than 300 United Way of Roanoke Valley supporters gathered at the Wyndham Hotel on Feb. 14 to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2005 community campaign.   

United Way of Roanoke Valley Campaign Vice Chair Harold McLeod announced that the Power of One campaign is projected to raise $6,201,924. He spoke on behalf of Campaign Chair Barry Henderson, SunTrust Bank Executive Vice President, who was unable to attend the event.

"We did not let the hurricanes wash out our campaign,” McLeod said, referring to the Gulf Coast disaster that occurred just a week before the United Way campaign began. “Our campaign message was, ‘Please remember our own community as you help the hurricane victims,’ and you responded with real generosity.”

Acknowledging the challenge of raising funds in a time of dire national need, McLeod thanked United Way donors for understanding that local people also need their help. “You did not forget the victims of smaller scale disasters that occur every day to people in out community,” he said.

Within the coming weeks, volunteers will begin the community investment process of deciding how to share funds raised among health and human service programs operated by United Way partner agencies. McLeod pointed out that the entire community benefits from pulling together through United Way.

"Pulling together to help each other through the rough spots lifts up every one of us,” he noted. “Because we’re not just fixing problems. We’re working to get at the root causes and find lasting solutions to local human needs.”

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:

Allstate National Support Center received the Spirit of Community Award, given to a company showing extraordinary support to United Way and the community. Known throughout the region for its energetic employee volunteer teams that support dozens of charitable causes, Allstate invests abundant time, talent and treasure to United Way of Roanoke Valley. CEO Gerald McDermott serves on the United Way Board of Directors and dozens more employees volunteer for committees and community investment panels. The Loaned Executive Program that provides campaign workers has included an Allstate employee for nearly 20 years, and Human Resources director Chuck Lockard has lead LE training for 15-plus years. Allstate was co-sponsor of the 2005 Days of Caring and drafted its own volunteer team to do community service at the Boys and Girls Club.

Carilion Health System and Advance Auto Parts were honored with Milestone Awards for their campaigns that exceeded half a million dollars. 

Cornerstone Awards went to two companies with total gifts ranging from $250,000 to $499,000.  Winners were Norfolk Southern and Wachovia Bank.

The Community Builder Award was presented to Kathy Stockburger, United Way board member and owner of Kathy Stockburger Consulting. This honor spotlights an individual for year-round contributions to improving life in the Roanoke Valley by inspiring collaboration to achieve measurable results in addressing real community needs.
       
The themed Power of One Award was earned by 14 companies who accepted the campaign chair’s challenge to give one percent of salary.

McLeod presented Campaign Chair Awards to six companies with outstanding campaign achievement: Advance Auto Parts, Cox Communications, Friendship Retirement Community, Graham-White, John W. Hancock and the Western Virginia Water Authority.

Leadership Giving Awards went to four companies with high numbers of donors giving $500 or more: Advance Auto Parts, HomeTown Bank, Kroger Mid-Atlantic and Thomas Rutherfoord, Inc.

The award for Outstanding First Time Employee Campaign went to HomeTown Bank.

US Postal Service employees received the Combined Federal Campaign Chair Award for 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 Trust House.

“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, and Roanoke, Salem and Vinton. The organization’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of people in our community.

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