United Way Honors Community Wide Success with No Dining, Just Doing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts: UWMWV Office (503) 363-1651
Denise Swanson, Resource Development Director

UNITED WAY HONORS COMMUNITY WIDE SUCCESS WITH NO DINING, JUST DOING

Salem, OR (April 13, 2010):  Last Thursday (4/8/2010), United Way of the Mid-Willamette thanked donors, advocates, and volunteers for a successful year of living united in the Mid-Willamette Valley.  Because of generous support from the local community, United Way was able to bring more than 2 million dollars in resources into Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties last year through several different sources such as workplace and individual giving, grants, in-kind donations, and volunteerism. 

More than 300 community members attended United Way’s annual community celebration, including United Way Board members and staff, elected officials, volunteers, community and business leaders. However instead of the traditional seated meal, attendees continued to LIVE UNITED at the event with an evening of giving back – No Dining, Just Doing.   

Presented in partnership with HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley, the event offered over 25 volunteer projects housed in the Salem Conference Center, providing attendees with opportunities to engage in a variety of volunteer projects during the event that supported the work of local agencies in the areas of education, income, and health.  United Way and HandsOn were able to mobilize over $11,000 in volunteer resources into our community during the event. 

The event was sponsored by a group of outstanding businesses, committed to creating better opportunities for everyone. They are:

Presenting Sponsor: US Bank; Platinum Sponsor: Salem Oncology & Hematology; Silver Sponsor: A-Dec; Bronze Sponsors: Capitol Auto Group, AmeriTitle, PGE, and Allied Video Productions.

The evening also presented an awards ceremony recognizing local business, school districts and United Way partner agencies for their contributions, support, and participation in the campaign and its community focused activities.

Gerry Frank LIVE UNITED Award: Dr. William “Bud” Pierce
This award recognizes the most distinguished volunteer of the campaign for their exceptional leadership and commitment to the success of the community-wide effort. 

Volunteer Award: Guido Caldarazzo Loaned Executive of the Year:
Christie Scott – Garten Services
Additional nominees included: Ginger Melton (Phoenix Inn), Gerry Bogan-Morgan (Self-Employed)
This award recognizes the employee and the business that loaned personnel to this year’s campaign to open doors, bring positive energy, raise funding, recruit other LEs and overall time donated.

UNITED WAY HONORS COMMUNITY WIDE SUCCESS WITH NO DINING, JUST DOING
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Volunteer Award: Days of Caring Volunteer Team of the Year:
Wachovia/Wells Fargo
Additional Nominees Include: Lowe’s, Unitrin Specialties
This award recognizes the spirit of corporate volunteering, project outcomes, number of volunteer hours, and teams that went above and beyond. 

Advocate Award:
Paul Krissel
Additional Nominees Include: Lee Means, Roger Jordan
This award recognizes the person who has advocated to advance the mission of United Way, lending their voice on behalf of our work place campaign as well as the United Way community impact agenda. 

Give Awards: Campaigns of the Year
These awards recognize the top campaign in the non-profit, public, and private sectors for overall excellence in their United Way Campaign, demonstrated through increasing employee education about community needs through speakers and other presentations and increases in employee involvement, campaign events planned, funds raised, and management participation within the campaign.

Non Profit Campaign of the Year: Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency
Additional Nominees Included: YWCA, Catholic Community Services

Public Sector Campaign of the Year: City of Dallas
Additional nominees included: Salem Area Mass Transit District, City of Independence

Private Sector Campaign of the Year:  Country Financial  
Additional nominees Included: Withnell Motor Company, Bank of the Cascades, Prudential Real Estate Professionals, Capitol Auto Group, Salem Hospital

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