United Way of the Midlands Nears Midpoint of $12.2 Million Campaign
October 17, 2008
COLUMBIA, SC – October 17, 2008 – Raising $12.2 million dollars takes a special group of dedicated volunteers who LIVE UNITED. Many of them gathered at the Brookland Conference Center on October 17 to report on the progress toward making this goal for United Way of the Midlands.
“I started my career with Publix at age 17 as a bagger and 29 years later I still bag groceries but make a little more,” said Mark Brannock, store manager at the Lexington Publix and Palmetto Society member.
“One of the first lessons I learned working with Publix was that when Mr. George founded the company in 1930, he believed that it was important to be involved as responsible citizens in the communities we serve. Now, 78 years later, we still teach that lesson to our new associates and find ways to help them show how we LIVE UNITED as a company. Here in the Midlands we participate in charity events like basketball tournaments, walks, and Day of Action in addition to our contributions to United Way of the Midlands. We LIVE UNITED at home, too. It’s important that our children see service in action. My family volunteers twice a month at Harvest Hope. One of my proudest moments came when my teenage daughter came home from work talking about the United Way presentation she had heard and her decision to donate $5 a week. ”
Publix associates’ contributions add up.
At the nine stores in the Midlands area, Publix associates are contributing more than $147,000 this year. Forty-one of those associates are giving at a leadership level of $1,000 or more.
In the region 398 stores give $1,568,000; the Atlanta Division’s 1,255 stores give $4,970,000 and nationally the total given by Publix associates totals more than $20.9 million. Publix Charities almost doubles that commitment by matching 70 cents on the dollar for employee contributions.
Other companies completing campaigns and highlighted during the meeting were:
- Benedict College
- City of Columbia Business License
- City Year
- Communities in Schools
- Department of Insurance
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car
- Fairfield County Board of Disabilities & Special
- First Citizens
- Fort Jackson
- Growing Home South
- Hobart Foods
- INTEL
- Michelin
- NAPA
- NBSC
- Richland County School District 2
- SC Comptroller General
- SC Consumer Affairs
- SC Technical College System
- Shaw
- Southeastern Freight Lines
- SRS
- US Postal Service
- Woodbury Ventures
- Work in Progress
The efforts of these companies and their employees added to the pacesetter campaigns bring the total to $5,612,000 for 46% of goal.
“We are ahead of the percentage to goal compared to last year and on track to reach a second record-setting goal,” remarked Steve Morrison, Nelson Mullins Riley and Scarborough and Campaign Co-Chair. “People understand that the current economic news may foreshadow increased needs in the community and are reaching deep to help.”
It’s not too late to become involved in a workplace giving campaign with United Way of the Midlands.
Contact Mike Gray, vice president for resource development, at 803-733-5422 or [email protected] for more information and materials.
