| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2/16/2006 |
Contact: Seandra Sims 302-573-3731 ssims@uwde.org |
UNITED WAY OF DELAWARE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN RAISES MILLIONS FOR DELAWAREANS IN NEED
The challenging campaign, originally scheduled to end on January 25, was extended until today after Dr. George and his volunteer campaign cabinet decided to spearhead a second effort to reach the full-year goal. The three-week extended campaign helped stimulate several companies and individuals in Delaware to raise additional funds, which will help minimize the impact of the goal shortfall on local health and human service agencies.
“Going into this campaign, we knew we faced significant challenges, including uncertainty within our local workforce and the enormous public response to the tragic, natural disasters our country faced last year. We set our goal accordingly, but the strain on our community was great this year,” said Dr. George. “We appreciate the overwhelming generosity of Delawareans. Even though we fell slightly short of our goal, the second effort campaign helped tremendously to reduce the shortfall’s impact on our community’s critical social service agencies.”
Dr. George also celebrated the general fundraising campaign’s many successes throughout the state, including $500,000 raised by new companies, double-digit increases among public sector employees, and the fact that United Way’s member agencies’ campaign goal was exceeded.
“Our member agencies and other area nonprofits are under a real strain this year,” said George. “United Way depends on the collective generosity of Delawareans to meet our community’s critical needs, and we are so grateful that our donors rose to the challenge again this year.”
“We should be proud of what we were able to accomplish in this very difficult economic year," said Drew Langloh, UWD president and chief professional officer. "It was by far one of the toughest fundraising environments we've faced in many years. There are so many people in our state that need our help, and the efforts of our donors and volunteers will make a real difference in the lives of those who need help most.”
George joined with UWD volunteers, staff, and local supporters for today’s campaign close events, which were held on Delaware Tech campuses in each of Delaware’s three counties. The events also featured testimonial speakers from United Way member agencies: Sussex County - Nicole Keller, Clinical Director, Delaware Guidance Services for Children and Youth; Kent County - Al Snyder, Executive Director, Children and Families First; and Paulette Austin, Executive Director, Generations Home Care. The three joined with UWD leaders to show their gratitude to the community for their generous financial support of Delaware’s most critical needs.
UWD’s annual campaign is supported by tens of thousands of individuals, including employee donors at nearly 1,000 Delaware workplaces. Thanks to their generosity, UWD invests millions each year in programs and services aimed at addressing the most critical needs in our state, such as infant mortality, child abuse and neglect, mental illness, substance abuse, homelessness, and many more.
For more information, please contact United Way of Delaware at (302) 573-3700 or visit us on the web at www.uwde.org. United Way of Delaware: Impacting our community by focusing on what matters…changing lives.