Community surpasses $16.7 million in giving to set United Way campaign record
November 20, 2015
Campaign results represent the largest result for a United Way campaign in South Carolina
United Way volunteers announced Thursday the organization’s annual community campaign has raised more than $16.7 million for its Greenville County programs and initiatives.
The final campaign total of $16,755,988 was revealed to supporters during a special event at the TD Convention Center. The effort establishes a new state record for United Way campaigns despite being just short of the ambitious $17 million goal announced in September.
“Greenville County is a great community for a lot of reasons,” said 2015 Campaign Chair David Lominack, South Carolina market president for TD Bank. “But what I’ve always known since growing up here is that the best thing about Greenville County is the people who live here. Nowhere in the country will you find a community of people who so genuinely care for each other more than we do here in Greenville County.”
The campaign began this summer with more than 700 companies and 1,400 volunteers participating and ended with more than 36,000 donors pledging their support to our community through United Way.
During Thursday’s event, campaign volunteers highlighted some of the success stories from the workplaces running campaigns. Top among those stories were the five largest campaigns: Michelin North America ($1.6 million), Greenville Health System ($1.02 million),
GE ($1 million), Greenville County Schools ($621,000), and Fluor Corporation, which became the first United Way of Greenville County workplace campaign to surpass $2 million in total giving ($2.07 million).
United Way also recognized support from seven companies running campaigns for the first time: Global Management Partners, UCW Logistics, Young Office, Aerotek, Marketplace Staffing, IH Services/Newbold Services and Greenville Swamp Rabbits.
“We all want Greenville County to be a thriving community where everyone can have a safe, stable and successful life,” said Ted Hendry, President of United Way of Greenville County. “The unparalleled generosity of people and companies throughout the community will help to build a Cycle of Success where children start school prepared to learn and go on to graduate, well-educated graduates find good jobs and create stable homes, and children from stable homes continue the cycle because they start school on track and prepared to learn.”
Last year, more than 107,000 people advanced along the Cycle of Success in one or more of the four key areas: Life Essentials, School Readiness, High School Graduation, or Financial Stability. The success of this year’s campaign will support the continuation of this important work, which includes funding to more than 100 programs and initiatives provided by United Way and its 69 partner agencies.
For those who didn’t have a chance to get involved during the fall workplace campaign, United Way encourages the community to visit unitedwaygc.org to make a pledge online and learn more about ways to volunteer in our community, or call United Way at 864-467-3333.
