02/07/2008

2007 United Way Campaign Good News!

Final Drive to the Goal

Too Close to Call!

Matt Espe, General Campaign Chairman of the 2007 United Way Campaign, is convening the Campaign Cabinet, along with the Leadership Alliance on Friday, February 8, to discuss how we can close the gap between the current projection of $53.6 million and our goal of $54 million. While this major effort will start with the Cabinet members, in the end it will require all of us, working together, to take this campaign to its final level. With so much at stake in this campaign we all need to stop for a moment and realize once again why we are doing this work, and why it is so important that we succeed. It's about need. It's about progress. It's about achievement. In short, it's about people.

LEADERBOARD

Top 10 Growth

Top Stories

• Titans of the United Way Campaign
• Maternity Care Coalition Gets a Day Off!
• It's Not Just in the Numbers
• Morgan Lewis Shatters Goal and Makes a Difference!
• Employees Rise and Shine at Peco!
• Community College of Philadelphia Creates a Brighter Tomorrow!
• Frankford Hospitals' Three Years of Increasing Success!

Titans of the United Way Campaign

They are giants of their industries and giants of the United Way Campaign; the businesses that anchor the campaign each year with contributions totaling in the millions of dollars from their employees and through corporate gifts. Their names are familiar; Vanguard, Independence Blue Cross, University of Pennsylvania & Health System, PECO, UPS or Rohm and Haas. Two among these mighty Titans: Sunoco and Comcast.

Comcast's 2007 United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania Campaign has raised $1,675,461 in employee and corporate giving, a $300,771 increase! The national campaign raised $4,300,147, with $1,424,883 in new dollars. Comcast will also be awarding more than $1.4 million in corporate grants to local United Way's based on their region's performance bringing the total for this year's national campaign to $5,766,697. The 2007 Comcast Corporation United Way Campaign was led by Diane Dietz, Senior Director, Public Affairs and Senior Vice President, Comcast Foundation and Senior Director of Public Affairs Bill Black.

Leading their respective units in the southeastern Pennsylvania region were: Peter Luukko, President of Comcast Spectacor Ventures, Gerard Kunkel, Senior Vice President, Comcast Cable and President of GuideWorks, LLC, Jeff Shell, President, Comcast Content, Jon Litner, President, Comcast SportsNet, Jon Gorchow, Vice President and General Manager of CN8, The Comcast Network, and Amy Smith, Regional Senior Vice President, Comcast Philadelphia Metro.

Comcast kicked off its strong leadership campaign with a luncheon at the Sofitel Hotel in October. Hosted by Comcast Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian Roberts and Executive Vice President David Cohen, it included presentations by Stephen Burke, Chief Operating Officer Comcast and President Comcast Cable Communications, Vanguard CEO Jack Brennan, and Charisse Watford of Caring People Alliance, a partner agency of UWSEPA.

Early on Monday, November 5, 2007, UWSEPA's E-Pledge servers kicked into high gear as Comcast launched its national campaign. Overnight, approximately 85,000 emails had been sent out to Comcast employees across the country providing them with links to their own secure E-pledge site where they could quickly and efficiently submit their United Way pledges.

Comcast Corporation set lofty goals for this year's campaign. The goal was to reach 85% participation in the Corporate Headquarters Offices in Philadelphia and 40% participation company-wide. With 34,000 donors pledging across the country, and over 3,000 pledging in the Philadelphia region, the company not only met but exceeded these ambitious goals.

Sunoco announced on January 30 that it had raised $1,786,000 for the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania's 2007 Campaign. The total includes pledges by employees and retirees, and the company's corporate gift, according to Charles K. Valutas, Senior Vice President of Sunoco. The campaign total for the entire Delaware Valley has crossed the $2 million mark to reach $2,066,294!

The robust 2007 campaign included a kickoff with agency tables; a leadership breakfast; internal video; in-house-produced materials; coordinator training, and a small book fair. The campaign's growth was led by employees of Sunoco's Frankford plant, who increased their giving by 17 percent, and by company retirees, whose pledges were up by 18 percent, according to Valutas. "Leadership giving was also very strong in 2007," said Jose Cabrera, Vice President and Co-chair for Leadership Giving, defined as donations of $1,000 or more. "Our total of more than $628,000 represented an increase of 7.8 percent over the previous year."

"The company will increase its commitment to the Neighborhood Assistance Program, which will bring the grand total of Sunoco's donation to more than $2 million," added Valutas.

"UWSEPA, under the leadership of President and CEO Alba Martinez, has identified targeted areas of need in the surrounding community where Sunoco's contributions will back programs aimed at achieving measurable results," Valutas said. "All Sunoco employees should feel very good about the significant and long-lasting impact their generous donations will have on the community."

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Maternity Care Coalition Gets a Day Off!

"Marjie, what are you doing in your bathrobe?" her roommate asked. "I won the day off for United Way giving. Our agency had 100% participation so our Executive Director gave us New Year's Eve Day off," was the reply. "Girl, I gotta get a job at Maternity Care Coalition!" So went the skit at Maternity Care Coalition's (MCC) United Way kick-off meeting, starring two budding actresses, MCC United Way Campaign co-chairs Arnetta Stewart and Marjie Mogul. Marjie, MCC's Director of Research, appeared before 70 or so of her fellow employees in her pink bathrobe and doggie slippers, while Arnetta rallied the crowd to appeal to Executive Director JoAnne Fischer for the day off. JoAnne agreed and MCC earned it's first-ever 100+% United Way participation! The + is for several student interns and consultants who Arnetta cajoled into giving, making her the Marketing Department's new Secret Fundraising Weapon!

Marjie in her bathrobe enjoying her day off

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It'S Not Just in the Numbers

Accounting firms of all sizes from throughout the southeast region are a mainstay of the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania Campaign. With another very exciting year recorded in their ledgers, the accounting companies can look back with tremendous satisfaction on their success at several levels, including a strengthening awareness of the needs in their community, a campaign increase of 24.3% in overall results and a new, higher level of Leadership giving!

PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, led by Managing Partner Tony Conti, set the stage for another very strong year, and a record campaign total, by kicking off their 2007 United Way campaign this summer with their Community Service Day at the Lighthouse. This year's Community Service day saw 500 PWC volunteers come out to help rebuild and rejuvenate physical space at the center, and at the Lighthouse ball field! The PWC campaign, under the direction of Dana Giovinetti, Meeting/Events Manager and Employee Campaign Coordinator, generated10 new leadership level donors of $1,000 or more who accounted for $411,901 of PWC's campaign total of $462,375; an increase of $84,820!

This years efforts at Goldenberg Rosenthal, LLP, led by Kristen L. Lewis of the Marketing Department and Ann Tye of Human Relations, helped this firm to their second year of outstanding results with a 21.7% increase and a total of $23,784! The company's office is located near Jenkintown rail station and appropriately, this dynamic duo decided to capitalize on this by using a "Train" theme to get their campaign on the fast track to success. The morning of the campaign kick-off, Kristen, Ann and other members of the campaign team donned their rail conductor hats and greeted each 'passenger' at the door to work by handing them a ticket to board and to explore the company's computer site for information to make their pledge. During the campaign they came around with their 'passenger list' to collect pledges. The Leadership meeting, organized by Partner Lori Reiner, ensured a well-rounded message for all.

At Deloitte, increased involvement was key to the company's 2007 United Way Campaign achievement of a 23.5% increase!. Tara Weiner, Managing Partner at Deloitte, ensured that her company's campaign was going to be a huge success by finding ways to get everyone involved in their community. Her efforts were met with enthusiasm to get the job not only done, but also done well, was exemplified in the efforts of the 1,000 Deloitte employees that spread throughout the city to work on special projects improving the Boys & Girls Clubs, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia Bike Works and Family Charter School during their Deloitte Impact Day in June 2007. Through the efforts of Susan Schumacher and other project leaders, this grand endeavor was a big hit. The campaign charge ended with an outstanding total of $422,406 under the direction of Christina Schneider and Alisha Slye.

Town Hall meetings really do get people involved and can make a profound difference in many lives. In the case of KPMG, it helped lead the company to a 37% increase in its United Way Campaign; each dollar providing more services and support in the community. KPMG included in its campaign a Town Hall Meeting for some 900 employees. Matt Espe, CEO of IKON Solutions and 2007 United Way Campaign Chair gave a rousing message about the impact of local community involvement, the important role KPMG played in the community at large and just as importantly, their role in the business community. Jerry Maginnis, Managing Partner at KPMG, assigned the task of leading the firm's campaign to Darin Kempke, who along with Susan George and Cynthia L. Donegan guided the campaign to a total of $351,281!

The 2007 Ernst & Young, LLP campaign, under the direction of Ms. Bonnie Doucette Executive Director, Assurance and Advisory Services/ EBPS, set a new record for participation, and increased the firm's campaign by $17,956 new dollars for a total of $193,697! Through a very well organized and energized campaign, Ernst & Young was able to increase their participation by 51% or 101 donors. Many of the new donors were new employees just entering the workforce. Through weekly updates and raffles of gift cards and theater tickets, the strategy centered on the first-time giver and individual pledge increases of 25% or more. Congratulations to Mr. Richard Haverstick, Managing Partner and Ms.Doucette for conducting such an outstanding campaign.

Here's a look at other area accounting firms who have played a huge part in the United Way Campaign. In the end, the numbers speak for themselves:

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Morgan Lewis Shatters Goal and Makes a Difference!

In an effort to "make a difference" by garnering greater community support and involvement, J. Gordon Cooney, Jr., Managing Partner at center-city law firm Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, challenged employees at their campaign kick-off: If employee participation reached 45%, employees could go "blue" -- that is, wear jeans on Fridays in January. Knowing an opportunity when presented with one, Morgan Lewis employees blew past their goal and reached 52% participation in the firm's 2007 United Way campaign! This growth also represented an increase of 21% in campaign participation!

Morgan Lewis' campaign reached dizzying heights as the campaign raised a record-breaking $464,750, reflecting an increase of $99,112!

Firm employees were invited to a kick-off in their cafeteria at 1701 Market Street. In addition to Gordon, Nate Andrasani, a partner who served as Leadership Campaign Chair, Alba Martinez, President and CEO of United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Jac Ferber and Harold Barrow of AchieveAbility addressed the assembled troops. Their message was clear and simple: by participating in the United Way campaign, employees could make a positive difference in our community.

That was only the beginning! To spread the United Way message, raffles, silent auctions, individual contacts with partners, pretzel sales, and more were employed. Electronic communications shared with employees related personal stories of the impact United Way has helped to make on individuals. Karen Caldwell, Employee Campaign Chair, assisted employees with their pledging questions and kept all campaign activities running smoothly.
At the conclusion of their campaign, Gordon Cooney hosted a cocktail reception in their lobby to celebrate their campaign's success, and raised a toast to the employees for their outstanding generosity.

Jeans in January Nate Andrasani, Partner; Karen Caldwell; J. Gordon Cooney, Managing Partner, Morgan Lewis dressed in "blue" to celebrate their United Way campaign success. The sign explains to visitors "Congratulations United Way and Morgan Lewis: Making a Difference, "Jeans in January", Congratulations and thank you for surpassing our goals for this year's United Way campaign. As a result, we will celebrate by wearing jeans in January."

Employees Rise and Shine at Peco!

Turning out early appears to have been worth the effort, as PECO's UWSEPA Campaign raised $1,097,754, a $31,373 increase. Regionally, PECO, led by President Denis O'Brien, raised over 2.02 million dollars!!

Injecting some fun into their campaign, the Campaign Team organized a kick-off event with a carnival-like atmosphere, offering free eats and opportunities for employees to enjoy playing some hoops and practicing their putting skills. Pat Coulter, President and CEO of the Urban League was guest speaker. At a later Leadership Breakfast, donors of $1,000 or more were served eggs, ham and pancakes to start their day. Alba Martinez, President and CEO of UWSEPA, was guest speaker.

The campaign team also fueled a little competitive spirit by sharing participation percentages with business units and managers so departments would know how they compared to others in the company.

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Community College of Philadelphia Creates a Brighter Tomorrow!

It's a phenomenal 44% increase for the Community College of Philadelphia 2007 United Way Campaign! The Campaign, revolving around this year's chosen theme "With Your Help Today, A Brighter Community Tomorrow," raised $22,355, an increase of $6,854 over their 2006 total! Extending the campaign beyond the college's main campus to all of its regional sites has helped to build the campaign over the past few years. This year, in addition to special incentives for employees, including Halloween treats served in the cafeteria and balloon-decorated information stops set up throughout the campuses, the College raffled off two ipods! The Campaign Committee, led by Special Events Coordinator Monique Evans-Westcott, also sent out campaign reminder emails, hung posters, gave out flyers and distributed a letter from College President Stephen Curtis supporting and encouraging participation in the campaign.

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Frankford Hospitals' Three Years of Increasing Success!

In response to CEO, Roy Powell's leadership, Frankford Hospitals hit a 3-year high of $13,000 in their United Way Campaign! Under the campaign design and hard work of Employee Campaign Chair Gail Sullivan, Director of Development, who coordinated the efforts of Frankford's various locations, including the Frankford, Torresdale and Bucks County campuses, Frankford Hospitals' United Way Campaign for 2007 exceeded the previous year's results by $5,917 or 83.5%. Frankford Hospitals is part of the Jefferson Health System.

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For more information on these stories go to
www.uwsepa.org

2007 United Way Campaign Good News Archives

For all past issues of this publication, please visit the
2007 United Way Campaign Good News Archives

http://www.uwsepa.org/Campaigns/Campaign2007/GoodNews_Archives.htm