More than a $1 Million Marks the Start of 2009-2010 United Way/Chad Campaign

Sept. 21, 2009 - PRLog -- United Way of San Diego County’s workplace donors continue to step up campaign contributions in a year that finds many San Diego companies and individuals challenged to make ends meet. “That’s what this campaign and United Way are all about,” said United Way President & CEO Doug Sawyer. “Together, we can accomplish more than any single group can on its own.”

That point was underscored last Tuesday, September 15, when hundreds of area companies kicked off the official launch of the 2009-2010 United Way/CHAD campaign in Balboa Park’s Hall of Champions by raising more than $1 million. The program also honored several local companies and individuals for their dedication to United Way and for outstanding campaign achievements.

The new 2009-2010 Campaign Chair, Richard Ledford of Ledford Industries, acting as evening’s emcee, introduced United Way’s “Pacesetters” —11 local companies that “set the pace” by running their workplace campaigns during the summer months. This is the time of year when hundreds of companies around San Diego begin their workplace campaigns, encouraging employees to contribute through payroll deductions.

For the third year in a row, Solar Turbines earned the President’s Award for the company with the highest number of leadership givers (individual annual gifts of $1000 and above). Solar Turbines President Steve Gosselin thanked the crowd while daring them to take the trophy. “We’re a company that loves competition,” he said. “And even though this isn’t about competition — it’s about taking care of the community — we would welcome more competition.”

Pacesetter companies included the Burn Institute, California Bank & Trust, GEICO Insurance, MBE (a UPS company), NASSCO, San Diego Business Journal, San Diego Regional Airport Authority, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Solar Turbines, State Farm Insurance, and Teen Challenge.

It takes many companies, large and small, to build a workplace campaign, and the diversity of San Diego’s involvement in United Way’s campaign was evident during a “best practices” awards ceremony, recognizing exemplary efforts during the 2008-2009 campaign. Honors went to NASSCO (large company), DJO (midsize company), Center for Creative Learning and Napa Auto Parts (small company tie), and Target (team spirit).

Dave Stecher, Executive Vice President of Retirement Capital Group, Inc., received the Naish award as United Way’s Volunteer of the Year. The award recognizes many years of volunteer service and commemorates Jack Naish, a past United Way board member and community leader.

The evening’s sponsors were Solar Turbines, California Bank & Trust, NASSCO, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Kaiser Permanente, Manpower, Old Town Trolley Tours of San Diego, San Diego County Credit Union, and City of Life. Emcee Ledford acknowledged that recognizing the tremendous efforts by companies and participating employees was the reason for the celebration, “…and not just tonight, but all year round.”

To learn more about the programs United Way of San Diego County supports, visit www.uwsd.org. To find out how to start a workplace giving campaign, contact Holly Baughman at (858) 636-4157 or hbaughman@uwsd.org.

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United Way of San Diego County is a nonprofit organization that improves lives and creates lasting change by raising money and mobilizing the community to solve education, income and health issues. To learn more or to donate, please visit www.uwsd.org