Media Center
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/25/2008 |
Contact: Seandra Sims 302-573-3731 ssim@uwde.org |
UNITED WAY OF DELAWARE 2007 CAMPAIGN EXCEEDS $22 MILLION GOAL — CHRIS BUCCINI TO CHAIR 2008 CAMPAIGN.
“This is wonderful news for the people of Delaware,” said Ms. Stuart. “Thanks to the tens of thousands of individuals and hundreds of companies that participated in the 2007 Campaign, United Way of Delaware is well positioned to continue supporting the social service agencies whose programs improve the quality of life for everyone in Delaware.”
Commenting on the 2007 Campaign, Ms. Stuart and Mr. Holden said they are pleased that a growing number of donors have begun designating at least a portion of their gift to UWD’s Community Impact Fund, or directly to one of UWD’s five strategic focus areas.
“By designating to the Community Impact Fund, or to one or more of our strategic focus areas, donors can be sure that their gift helps run programs that eliminate the causes of some our state’s worst social problems, and not just treat the symptoms,” said Mr. Holden.
The campaign co-chairs said they were also pleased with the fact that more than 180 new donors joined the campaign in 2007 compared with 2006, and that 46 Delawareans became new members of UWD’s Tocqueville Society, an organization of donors who commit at least $10,000 to the annual campaign. For eight consecutive years, the Tocqueville Society, which currently includes 350 members, has been recognized as the largest in the nation in a community of less than one million people.
In addition to thanking donors, in presentations today at M&T Bank in Sussex County, Burris Logistics in Kent County, and Bank of America in New Castle County, Ms. Stuart and Mr. Holden also applauded United Way of Delaware volunteers, loaned executives, and staff, and donors for their efforts in the 2007 Campaign.
“A campaign of this scale does not just happen by itself. It takes commitment, organization, and stamina. The credit for this goes to the many generous volunteers and staff who worked so tirelessly, and who in fact continue to work today to ensure the success of this campaign. Delaware is lucky to have people like this,” Ms. Stuart said.
UWD President & CEO, Michelle A. Taylor, said, “The success of the 2007 Campaign is a testament to the generous support United Way receives from every sector of the community in all three counties – from labor, business, education, government, nonprofits, professionals, and of course individual donors. It is hard to think of a single event in Delaware that does more to bring such a diverse group of people together around a single cause. I am proud to be part of this effort.”
Taylor added that UWD officials will work closely with social service agencies over the course of 2008 to ensure that donor dollars are invested wisely.
“For more than 60 years, United Way of Delaware has been a reliable steward of donor dollars. We will continue this work in 2008 and look forward to working with our partners in the community to ensure that donor dollars have maximum impact in Delaware,” Mrs. Taylor said.
Chris Buccini To Chair 2008 Campaign
With an eye toward the future, Stuart and Holden also announced today that Chris Buccini of The Buccini/Pollin Group will co-chair the United Way of Delaware 2008 fundraising campaign. Buccini is expected to name a Co-chair and his Campaign Cabinet later this year.
About United Way of Delaware
United Way of Delaware is the state’s largest nonprofit fundraising organization. Through its Community Impact Fund, United Way supports programs operated by 110 nonprofit partner agencies across the state. United Way also partners with other nonprofits, businesses, and individuals to design and implement programs aimed at eliminating the root causes of some of Delaware’s most pressing social problems. United Way of Delaware has offices in Wilmington, Dover, and Rehoboth, Delaware. For more information, visit www.uwde.org or call (302) 573-3700.