BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Central Alabama continues its strong backing for critical programs and initiatives supported by United Way through another successful fundraising campaign. 2014 Volunteer Campaign Chairman, Mark Drew, Managing Partner of Maynard Cooper & Gale, proudly announced that the 2014 goal of $38,250,000 was met and exceeded with a total pledged of $38,255,109. The amount announced reflects pledge estimates and not the final results of companies that are still conducting campaigns or individuals who have not renewed pledges in writing.
“This is an accomplishment our community can be proud of,” said Drew. “This year’s results are slightly higher than last year’s campaign, which will help our UW Agencies and other initiatives to continue moving forward in their efforts to meet the increasing needs in our community.”
The campaign began last summer with a Pacesetter campaign led by volunteer chairman John Turner of Regions Financial Corporation that raised more $11,315,051 from 49 businesses, nonprofits, municipal groups and corporations. Turner and his Pacesetter volunteers were awarded the Mervyn Sterne Award for exceptional campaign performance by a campaign team.
The campaign continued to set new records and some of this year’s highlights include:
• 51 companies using online e‐pledging
• 287 new corporate or business campaigns of the 2,000 campaigns conducted in Jefferson, Shelby Walker, Blount and St. Clair counties
• 74 new Tocqueville members (contributions of $10,000 and above)
• 41 loaned and sponsored executives participated in leadership training and worked throughout the Fall with companies to run their campaigns; Steve Paternostro, Alabama Power Company was named the Crawford T. Johnson, Loaned Executive for his attitude, effort and professional growth during the campaign.
• Top corporate leaders running campaign results of $1,000,000 or more (not in rank order) are :
Alabama Power Company/Southern Company Services, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, EBSCO Industries, Protective Life Corporation, Publix Supermarkets, Regions Financial
Corporation and The University of Alabama at Birmingham
• A pledge matching program from Brasfield & Gorrie in honor of the company’s 50th Anniversary.
The dollars raised will be used to advance United Way’s mission of improving lives and community conditions through over 80 partner agencies and programs in our five county area focusing on basic needs‐education, financial stability, health and access to services. Volunteers will make allocation decisions on United Way agency awards beginning Friday, December 12 with the awards announced in January, 2015.
United Way of Central Alabama serves Jefferson, Shelby, Walker, Blount and St. Clair counties by providing solutions for the most important needs in the community. Through our partner agencies and community initiatives we improve lives and community conditions by building and mobilizing resources. Contributions are still being accepted. They can be mailed to United Way of Central Alabama, P.O. Box 320189, 35232‐0189 or donations can be made online at www.uwca.org.
