UW Raises $11,771,018
Announcement made at annual meeting & campagn celebration

FOR RELEASE: February 18, 2009 

UNITED WAY hONORS CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS, aNNOUnces $11,771,018 Campaign Result AND SHOWS THE COMMUNITY HOW IT “LIVED UNITED” IN 2008

CHATTANOOGA, TN (February 18, 2009)—United Way of Greater Chattanooga hosted approximately 400 supporters at its Annual Meeting and Campaign Celebration on Feb. 18, during which key companies, volunteers and clients were recognized for their efforts that helped the organization achieve success in 2008, including raising more than $11.7 million for programs that advance the common good by educating children to be ready for school, helping families and individuals build economic stability, and supporting the most vulnerable in our communities.

The 2008 campaign was the first of its kind for United Way, thanks to the new “Live United” focus. Individuals were asked to Give, Advocate and Volunteer as a means of engaging the community in a more “hands on” fashion with United Way’s work.   Even Mayor Ron Littlefield’s and Mayor Claude Ramsey’s keynote address illustrated how the City and County governments “Lived United” in 2008 through their work with United Way.

After a video by 2008 Campaign Chairman Nausley thanking the community for their generosity, Board Chair Tom Edd Wilson presented several companies with awards for their tremendous efforts that helped to push the 2008 campaign up to the mid-range target goal. Nominees for the Company of the Year awards were assessed on participation, fundraising, Leadership participation and other aspects of campaign involvement. Winners were determined by a panel of judges. The following companies were recognized for excelling in their United Way campaign efforts:

• Large Company of the Year – Unum  
• Mid-sized Company of the Year – UPS  
• Small-sized Company of the Year – Lectrus  
• Chairman's Award – Roper Corporation  
• New Business Award – Publix

In addition to company awards presented, United Way also recognized the Salvation Army’s Emergency Assistance Program as the United Way-funded program that demonstrated the most far-reaching community impact in 2008 by presenting them with the Impact Program of the Year award. One of the major accomplishments of the Salvation Army in 2008 was providing emergency assistance for our neighbors in their time of need. Over the past year, this program provided relief to Hurricane Gustav victims through food and gas vouchers to help them return home. Area residents who had a hard time making it through the summer received fans, air conditioners and utility assistance from the ‘Beat the Heat’ Campaign. And when families couldn’t make ends meet after losing jobs in the fourth quarter, the program provided utility payments, rent and food.

Tom White was recognized as the Services Volunteer of the Year due to his work with United Way’s Allocations Committee since the mid-nineties and serving as its chairman for the past four years. During this time, Mr. White’s dedication to the committee has resulted in unparalleled oversight.

“The thing that has been most meaningful to me has been the quality of work performed by allocations volunteers to insure that the programs supported by United Way meet the needs of this community,” said Mr. White about his volunteer work. “I know – both from a personal and corporate perspective, as someone who participates in the Unum employee campaign – that our money goes to improve the lives of those we touch.” When questioned about the committee’s work, he added, “These are not always easy decisions, but we are providing a valuable service to United Way and our community by making tough decisions in a well-informed and compassionate manner.” 

United Way's Alexis de Tocqueville Society (a society of donors who invest $10,000 or more to United Way) presented Pamela Perry with the Courage Award for overcoming personal difficulties and becoming self-sufficient with the help of several United Way partner agencies and programs, including Partnership for Families Children and Adults and Chamblis Shelter/Children’s Home. 

United Way advances the common good by educating children to be ready for school, promoting economic stability so people can provide for themselves and their families, and by caring for the most vulnerable in our community. Thanks to an endowment fund that covers all overhead and administrative expenses, one hundred percent of contributions go directly to these services that help individuals and families in greater Chattanooga, including northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama.

Some Facts About How United Way Advanced the Common Good in 2008

Education: Investing in Children

• Research shows there is a strong correlation between the number of books in the home and literacy: 16,863 children are receiving a free book a month, as of the end of 2008.
• Research shows that children’s success is directly linked to a relationship with a loving adult devoted their development: 494 family members participated in 2,024 hours of parent education sessions in 2008.
• Research shows that many children who enter school with insufficient skills also have developmental delays: 15% of children receiving books have been screened free-of-charge and 85% of those screened have age-appropriate developmental skills.

(Economic) Stability: Building Stable Lives

The new Building Stable Lives Pilot Project launched in 2008 involving more than 50 community partners with Partnership for Families, Children and Adults as lead agency.

Located in a mobile office at East Lake Recreation Center, the project is already seeing results. Of the 55 families served since August, two have already achieved stability by completing their initial education and training goals, finding and working at full-time jobs, and obtaining affordable housing.

Supporting the Most Vulnerable

United Way’s 2-1-1 Call Center saw a 20% increase in calls over 2007 and identified 28% more needs. In the last quarter of 2008, the call increase was 50% higher over the same time in 2007. In addition to referring individuals and families for services,

United Way’s 2-1-1 also:

• helped EPB distribute 381 fans in June and July
• screened callers for Food Stamp eligibility, leading to a 15% increase in the number of families receiving assistance
• referred 1,737 callers to VITA/EITC sites during 2008
• sent 4,916 families to agencies for assistance with holiday gifts and meals.

More about the Courage Award Winner

Pamela Perry and her two-year-old daughter were alone and in desperate need. She found help through United Way-funded programs at Partnership for Families, Children and Adults and Children’s Home/Chambliss Shelter.

These programs helped stabilize Pamela’s life by locating financial assistance, housing, counseling, legal assistance and child care for her daughter. Pamela began to take control of her life. She went back to school, completed a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and is now a program manager at the Coalition Against Domestic and Community Violence of Greater Chattanooga. Pamela says she doesn’t regret anything she has endured—it has made her a stronger, better person. She took back her life, and now she can give back to others.

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