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Company Campaign Spotlight
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The 2008-2009 United Way campaign has been going strong for several months now and many companies have already completed or are in the process of conducting their employee campaigns. Each year, companies come up with new ways of raising both funds and awareness for United Way. This year has been no exception. Below are just a few examples of how Pacesetter companies have engaged their employees and supported United Way's 2008 Campaign.
Rheem
Rheem had an outstanding year once again with their 2008 United Way Campaign. Their company campaign can be largely attributed to the hard work of its employee committee, "The Purple Prize Patrol." The Prize Patrol can always be seen at the annual United Way Kick-off and Wrap-up events dressed in their matching Rheem/United Way shirts. This year, the committee's efforts truly paid off, raising more than $100,000, up over 12% from last year's campaign.
On August 19, the committee hosted a series of meetings for all Rheem employees. The meetings took place throughout the day to make sure all shifts were able to hear the United Way story. United Way and agency representatives briefly spoke to employees about how money raised during the campaign is used to benefit the community. During the meetings, all in attendance were given their pledge card and encouraged to give. Those giving a minimum of $5 received a mini-ice chest, donated by Rheem. Those giving a minimum of $1.50 a week were entered into a drawing to win a grand prize of $750 cash.
For ten weeks, the committee also conducted 50/50 drawings. Every Friday, the committee would drive around the plant in carts, carrying balloons and honking horns until they arrived at the winner's location. There the winner was presented with prize money and his or her picture was taken to display on the winner's poster in the break room.
Hanna Oil and Gas
Hanna Oil and Gas has served as a Pacesetter and overall United Way supporter for many years. This year, the company exceeded its previous year's total by over 20%, raising more than $15,500. For the past several years, Hanna Oil and Gas has commanded the highest per-capita giving company for the annual campaign. Those who participated were entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of several prizes that included gift cards and certificates. Winners were announced at the September employee breakfast and the campaign total was revealed.
In addition to serving as a Pacesetter company, many Hanna employees participate in United Way activities year-round including leadership opportunities and as campaign volunteers. Many employees volunteer at area agencies on the annual Day of Caring and help collect school supplies for Stuff the Bus.
"Even during an economically difficult year, it is encouraging to find that individuals are still so generous and so willing to support United Way," said Tom Minton, United Way Executive Director. "We are truly grateful to Rheem, Hanna Oil and all of our other companies that run campaigns for United Way each and every year."
Fountain of Youth Adult Day Care Center
The Fountain of Youth Adult Day Care Center, one of United Way's 33 partner agencies, rallied a United Way campaign of their own! Dressed in LIVE UNITED t-shirts, the staff hosted a United Way celebration day. Executive Director, Lori Williams thanked her employees with a $20 gift card and has made arrangements for a catered lunch in January. After all, the Fountain of Youth Adult Day Care captured both 100% employee and board participation in their campaign.
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Campaign Packets |
Loaned Executives have been hard at work delivering packets to companies throughout the area. If for any reason you have not received your campaign packet, please contact the United Way office at 782-1311 and materials will be distributed to you immediately. To schedule presentations, please contact Brittany Ransom or Sarah Fowler.
All packets should be returned to the United Way office by Tuesday, November 25. All those submitted after the deadline will not be eligible for the awards presented at the annual Wrap-up Event on December 9. |
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| The Next Step Day Room, one of United Way's 33 partner agencies, is the only homeless shelter in Fort Smith open during the day with individual case management for anyone facing homelessness. The Next Step Day Room serves 100 people a day from our community. |
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The Face of United Way |
Ginger (not her real name), had spent many months living on the Arkansas River until coming under the care of her case manager with the Next Step Day Room. In addition to providing clients with a hot lunch, the use of a telephone and a place to receive mail, the staff seeks solutions to homelessness through individual case management placing direction toward self-sufficiency. Time is devoted to each client to explore viable options for life-style improvements. Ginger's case manager was most concerned about her poor eye sight. She held everything she read just inches from her face. After phoning several ophthalmologists in the area, one agreed to a gratis appointment. It was then Ginger learned she had cataracts. The staff worked with Cooper Clinic to arrange for the separate surgeries to remove her cataracts. Without this surgery, she would have become blind within the year.
Since the surgery, Ginger has secured appropriate housing and is absolutely thrilled to be off the River and to have the gift of sight. Because of this proactive approach to solving homelessness, clients like Ginger experience fewer incarcerations, find employment sooner and step out of homelessness and into self-sufficiency |
Car dealers participate in campaign
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| During the month of October the following car dealerships are participating in the Car Campaign where they will donate $25 for every new or used vehicle sold in the month of October:
Hug Chevrolet Charleston
Putnam Lincoln Mercury Fort Smith
Bill white Hyundai Fort Smith
Ozark Ford Ozark
Paris Ford Paris
Edwards Auto Sales Roland
Blue Ribbon Auto Group Sallisaw
United Way of Fort Smith Area would like to thank these dealerships for participating in this collaborative effort. In addition to these dealerships, many others continue to support United Way during the annual campaign by participating in a payroll deduction campaign or with a corporate gift.
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Upcoming Events |
- Falloween - The Young Leadership Group will host its annual Falloween event on Tuesday, October 28 at Creekmore Park in Fort Smith. There will be lots of pizza, games and goodies for all. Door prizes will also be awarded. Costumes are optional. All YLG members and their families are invited to attend. Please RSVP to Brittany Ransom at brittany.litchford@unitedway.org by October 23.
- Spookarama - Abilities Unlimited will sponsor Spookarama Bingo and Auction on Saturday, October 25 from 5pm - 9pm at the Fort Smith Senior Activity Center. Bingo is $5 per pack (3 on cards), no limit as well as other games. Prizes include MP3 players, DVD player, small appliances and a $200 gift card from Wal-Mart. Come hungry as the concession stand will be open. Proceeds benefit United Way and Abilities Unlimited. For details call 479-471-5354.
- November Roundtable - The Young Leadership Group will host its final Roundtable of the year on Friday, November 7. Featured speaker is Mike Carroll of Beall-Barclay in Fort Smith. Lunch will be served at 11:30. All YLG members are invited to attend. Please RSVP by November 5 to Brittany Ransom at brittany.litchford@unitedway.org
- Wrap-up - United Way's 2008 Campaign Wrap-up Event will be Tuesday, December 9 at the Holiday Inn City Center in Fort Smith. This event will begin at 11:30. Lunch will be served. For more information, please call 782-1311.
- Wonderful World of Magic - The Boys Shelter of Fort Smith will present the "Wonderful World of Magic" fundraiser at 7:30 pm October 14 at the Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 S. Seventh St. Timothy and Barbara Tegge will perform magic, juggling and comedy for the event. Advance tickets are $6 for children, $9 for adults and $48 for families. Tickets may be purchased by calling 479-646-2819. For information, e-mail boyshelter@cox.net.
- Haunted Hayride and Haunted Corn Patch - Ozark Area Youth Organization (OAYO) is hosting a Haunted Hayride and Haunted Corn Patch on October 23, 24 and 25. The event begins at dark on the grounds of Contran Corporation located on Highway 219, north of Ozark. Admission is $6 per person for the hayride, $4 for the corn patch. Children not in school are admitted free. Bring a can food item to benefit Christmas Spirit Baskets and receive $1 off admission. For more information contact Penni Burns 479-209-4747.
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Give.
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| United Way's annual campaign is the easiest and most powerful way to invest in your community.
United Way addresses the needs important to people who live and work in Crawford, Franklin, LeFlore, Logan, Sebastian and Sequoyah counties. |
Advocate.
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You can make change happen with your voice. Get informed. Tell your friends. United Way needs people passionate about education, income and health to make some noise.
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Volunteer.
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Join hands. Open your heart. Give an hour. Give a Saturday. Think of we before me. Reach out a hand to one and influence the condition of all.
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BE AN ADVOCATE
Forward this eNewsletter
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You can LIVE UNITED by helping us spread the word. Imagine how many people we could reach if everyone forwards this to five people.
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 Power of the Purse
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It's not too late!!
Power of the Purse
is this Thursday
October 9
11:30 a.m.
Holiday Inn City Center
$25 each ticket
Luncheon and
Purse Auction
presented by
United Way of Fort Smith Area's Women's Leadership Circle
Speaker-Ronda Rich
Best-selling Southern author and syndicated columnist
Proceeds will be used for United Way's early literacy initiative- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
providing books to children, from birth to their
fifth birthday.
To reserve your ticket,
call 782-1311. | |
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