United Way Celebrates 2016 Campaign

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala – United Way of Marshall County celebrated the community’s generosity with over 135 attendees at its Annual Meeting and Campaign Celebration at Progress Rail Services Operations Center on    February 25. The celebration recognized companies and organizations throughout Marshall County that conducted outstanding United Way workplace campaigns in 2015. During the Campaign Chairman’s Report, Chairman Steven Knowles announced $778,075 had been raised for the 2015/2016 Campaign which exceeded this year’s goal of $735,000. The fundraising campaign began in August 2015.

“The Campaign Celebration is an opportunity to recognize the generosity and compassion of so many companies, organizations and individuals.” said Campaign Chair Steven Knowles. “Through the hard work of the 21 United Way partner agencies, many lives will be positively impacted in the communities in which we live and work.”

In addition to the Chairman’s Gold (per capita gift of $125 or more), Silver (per capita gift of $75 - $124) and Bronze (per capita gift of $50 - $74) Awards and the Unity (100% participation) Awards, there were several other awards of excellence presented at this year’s celebration:

  • Best Overall Campaign Award presented to Progress Rail Services for largest overall corporate campaign and top contributor for this year’s campaign. Progress Rail employees contributed $40,345.00 and the corporation matched their contributions dollar for dollar for a total of $80,690.00.
  • Spirit of Giving Award presented to Publix for exemplifying outstanding employee and corporate leadership giving in our community. In their first year of conducting an employee campaign, Publix contributed a total of $59,298 with the employees contributing $31,798 of that amount.
  • Live United Award presented to former United Way Executive Director Jeannie Lyle for exemplifying United Way’s core goals of Give, Advocate and Volunteers throughout the year.
  • Star Award presented to Guntersville City Schools and Newman Technology for the most improved employee campaigns.

The top twenty contributors for this year’s campaign include:

  1. Progress Rail Services

11.  Regions

  1. Publix

12.  Peoples Independent Bank

  1. Mitchell Grocery

13.  Parker Hannafin

  1. Citizens Bank & Trust

14.  Federal Mogul

  1. Paragon Picture Gallery

15.  Kabco Builders

  1. Davis Lee Companies

16.  Newman Technology Inc.

  1. Syncro Corporation

17.  Guntersville City Schools

  1. UPS

18.  Albertville City Schools

  1. Randy Jones Nationwide Insurance

19.  Kappler

9.    Marshall Medical Centers

20.  Factory Connection

  1. Propac Images

 

 

In addition, 2015-2016 United Way Board President Clint Maze delivered the organization’s 2015 Annual Report to the Community which highlighted what has been accomplished here in Marshall County through generous donor dollars. He also recognized Steven Knowles for serving as chair of United Way’s fundraising campaign and announced that he will be serving in this capacity again for the 2016/2017 campaign.

Through the support and efforts of many, United Way of Marshall County funded 21 partner agencies that helped make our communities stronger. These agencies helped approximately 33,000 people in Marshall County last year and focused on improving lives in the areas of education, income and health. These agencies and programs include: 2-1-1 First Call for Help, 4-H Clubs of Marshall County, American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, CASA of Marshall County, Child Advocacy Center, Child Development Centers of Marshall County, Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Court Appointed Juvenile Advocates (CAJA), Family Services of North Alabama, Marshall County Foster and Adoptive Parents Association, Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, Hospice of Marshall County, Marshall County Arc, Marshall County Home Place, Meals on Wheels, RSVP Income Tax Preparation, Shepherd’s Cove and The Salvation Army. United Way of Marshall County also issued two community impact grants to the Youth Advocate Program and the Alabama Head Injury Foundation.

Additionally, dollars are being invested in initiative programs that impact current and emerging community issues and leverage additional community resources. These programs include: Day of Caring and Can-a-thon.