2009 Archives

Local United Way Raises More Than $10 Million to Help Those in Need

LOCAL UNITED WAY RAISES MORE THAN $10 MILLION TO HELP THOSE IN NEED

Milestone Campaign for Community Non-Profit

HARRISBURG - (January 16, 2009) - United Way of the Capital Region (UWCR) has reached a milestone in its history. The organization, dedicated to helping those in need in our community, has exceeded its campaign goal by raising $10,125,157, topping last year's amount by 5.5 percent, or $523,426.

"To not only reach our goal, but exceed it in these tough economic times is a tribute to the extraordinary generosity of our community," said 2008 UWCR Campaign Chairman Jonathan Vipond, III, a partner and senior shareholder with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC. "From working closely with our program partners, we know needs increase dramatically in challenging times. We shared this message with our community throughout the campaign, and the good people of the Capital Region responded with tremendous support."

"In a year when many non-profits are struggling to reach the results they achieved last year, the response of our community is especially gratifying," said Joseph M. Capita, UWCR's president and CEO. "The result of our campaign is a tribute to the hard work of our campaign volunteers and staff, who were relentless in their efforts to communicate our message of increased community need, and worked hard to ensure our success."

UWCR announced its campaign results last night at a reception in Harrisburg honoring volunteers and the community. At the event, Highmark Blue Shield received the 2009 President's Award for their long-term commitment to supporting UWCR. Highmark Blue Shield increased their campaign by $365,000 over the amount raised last year.

"No company in the Capital Region has contributed more to our success than Highmark Blue Shield," said Capita. "Highmark's dedication to United Way doesn't stop once the campaign ends. Company employees volunteer in countless leadership positions for UWCR. It's an honor to present the President's Award to Highmark Blue Shield for their commitment to changing our community through United Way."

Twenty organizations are members of UWCR's Pillar Society for 2009; their donations represent 55 percent of the entire campaign. The Pillar Society consists of organizations that contribute $100,000 or more in combined corporate and employee giving to United Way. Those organizations are:

Capital BlueCross
Gannett Fleming, Inc.
Giant Food Stores
Hersha Group
The Hershey Company
Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company
Highmark Blue Shield
Nationwide Insurance
Naval Support Activity - Mechanicsburg
The Patriot-News
Penn National Insurance
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine
PinnacleHealth System
PPL Electric Utilities
Rite Aid Corporation
State Employee Combined Appeal
Three Mile Island Generating Station
Tyco Electronics
UPS
U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks

 Seventeen organizations also increased their giving by $10,000 or more this year. Those organizations and the amount of increase are:

 Highmark Blue Shield   - $363,425

Three Mile Island Generating Station  - $70,886

Country Meadows Retirement Communities - $47,491

Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.  - $38,860

Giant Food Stores  - $36,183

Capital BlueCross  - $36,167

Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Foundation  - $35,000

Tyco Electronics- $32,872

Alexander Building Construction, LLC  - $27,063

State Employee Combined Appeal - $20,922

Penn National Insurance  - $17,834

Wegmans - $16,033

Deloitte- $12,964

Conrad Siegel Actuaries - $11,068

Delta Dental of Pennsylvania  - $11,055

G.R. Sponaugle & Sons, Inc.   - $10,641

Gannett Fleming, Inc. - $10,003

 At last night's reception, the winners of this year's campaign raffle were selected. This year, donors who contributed $156 or more to the campaign could win one of five prizes: a 2009 Chevrolet Equinox or Malibu, donated by Sutliff Chevrolet; a 4-day, 3-night trip to the Bahamas, compliments of Central Penn AAA and Sovereign Bank; a home improvement package which includes a home office work station and chair from The Phillips Group, appliances from Design House Kitchens, a $500 Visa gift card from Commerce Bank and a $300 gift card from Just Cabinets; $1,500 worth of groceries, donated by Giant Foods; and a $500 gift card courtesy of Rite Aid Corporation.

In February, over 200 community volunteers will help UWCR decide how to best distribute the money it raises. These volunteers will tour programs, hear presentations, review financial records and evaluate results and make funding recommendations to the United Way Board of Directors.

For more information about UWCR, visit www.uwcr.org, or call 717.732.0700.