Posted 11:52 pm Friday, March 12, 2010
United Way Marks Fruitful Year
United Way of Tyler/Smith County drive leaders and volunteers Thursday celebrated organizational accomplishments during its Victory Celebration and Appreciation Luncheon.
The organization, which provides financial help to 25 partner agencies, raised $1.75 million in its 2009 drive, campaign chairman Clay Thompson announced.
During the luncheon, held at Ornelas Activity Center, United Way President Nan Moore thanked the 6,000-plus employees in Smith County who donated.
"These are people who see the needs we are working so hard to address in their neighbors, their coworkers, their families and even some who have experienced them firsthand," she said. "From this group, we saw familiar sacrificial giving time and time again."
Ms. Moore challenged all to combine efforts to better address problems.
"If we as a community are willing to recognize a young abused mother may also need education, child care for her young children, after-school help and tutorial for her school-aged children, parenting classes to strengthen her family and health care to be sure she is able to continue working to support them, then we will begin to see the importance of giving the united way," she said. "Then we will begin to see long-lasting, systemic changes."
The luncheon also was an opportunity to acknowledge volunteers and leadership.
Carl Hiltpold of Prosperity Bank was named Loaned Executive of the Year, Janette Land with CB&I was named Employee Campaign Coordinator of the Year and Diannia Jackson, assistant chief of the Tyler Police Department, received The Campaign Chairman's Award recognizing outstanding effort of a cabinet member.
United Technologies/Carrier received the "We Care" Award presented to a company with the highest percentage of increase in employee giving. Although the company reduced its work force by 40 percent, employees gave at the same level as last year, increasing the per-employee gift.
The city of Tyler Manager's Office received the Community Champion Award presented to a governmental department whose staff offers strong support of United Way.
Thompson, who is president of Prosperity Bank, was recognized for serving as campaign chairman and Henry Bell, COO of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, received praise for service as chairman of the board.
Thompson said United Way is in the process of transforming its campaign process "so we can better meet the needs of our donors and our partner businesses."
He encouraged all companies to be receptive when United Way comes calling.
United Way receives much of its funding through voluntary employee participation in company payroll deduction programs.
