October 5, 2009

Headlines

• Volunteering All Year Long: 365 Days Of Caring
• Introducing United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania's 2009 Campaign Cabinet!
• A Yellowbook Moment!
• Elvis is in the Building at Unum!
• More Photos from the First Day of
  365 days of Caring!!!

Volunteering All Year Long:
365 Days Of Caring

The United Way's Days of Caring, traditionally an annual two-day event, has gone year-round. Over the past 17 years, United Way has received overwhelming response from the community with thousands of volunteers stepping forward each year to participate in our Days of Caring events. But with the importance of volunteerism growing, just having a two day opportunity to volunteer no longer fit the needs of the community or our corporate partners.

Volunteerism is the cornerstone of United Way's LIVE UNITED movement. Because United Way's mission requires year-round work to make sure that children are succeeding in school, families have the income to remain independent and seniors have the supports they need for healthy aging, United Way needs the help of volunteers to support that goal by donating their time and talent at area agencies – year round. We now introduce, United Way 365 Days of Caring.

Day one of 365Days of Caring on September 17 (which also marked the official opening of the 2009 United Way Campaign) found employees from sponsoring organizations coming together at Ferko Recreation Center, Piccolli Recreation Center, Juniata Boys & Girls Club, and Tacony Creek Park grounds to paint, clean, fix-up and beautify the neighborhoods.

More than 700 volunteers, undeterred by the gray and damp day, watched the opening ceremonies which featured event co-Chairs Judy Spires, President ACME Markets, and Bill McNabb, President & CEO of Vanguard, along with UWSEPA Board Chair Carl Buchholz, Managing Partner, Blank Rome; Ed Lovelidge, Office Managing Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers; Chris Butler, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Independence Blue Cross (who was pinch hitting for IBC President and DOC co-Chair Joe Frick); UWSEPA President and CEO Jill Michal; and UWSEPA Director of Civic Engagement Heather Wertz.

The volunteers broke off into several working groups, and proceeded to tackle a variety of improvement projects, including painting playground equipment, clearing trails, ridding the area of noxious weeds and litter, replacing the weeds with healthy beneficial plantings, rebuilding game fields, building shelves and storage units, and basic all-around clean-up.

365 Days of Caring - Before and After

Breaking for lunch, the hungry volunteers were treated to Mike Jerrick, co-Host of FOX29's Good Day Philadelphia, who managed, through periods of laughter and sincerity, to re-energize the group while hosting the event's afternoon-program. Rosemary Turner, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of UPS-Metro Philadelphia District, and 2009 UWSEPA Campaign Chair, was guest-speaker along with Kate Lapszynski, Director of Stewardship for Fairmount Park and Steveanna Wynn, Director of the SHARE food program.

By the end of the day, nearly every project was complete, and according to representatives from the Parks and Recreation Commission, the work accomplished in this one day of volunteerism would have taken the parks staff all year to complete!

What does this mean for you? Participating in United Way 365 Days of Caring provides employees the opportunity to team build and take a break from their corporate environment, help others through hands-on experience, and see how agencies use campaign dollars to benefit the community.

So, is September your busy season? November? 365 Days of Caring also allows you and your fellow employees a unique opportunity to participate in volunteer efforts at a time that is most convenient for you and your company.

By utilizing www.uwsepa.org/volunteer United Way will match you with the right volunteer program for you. By accessing this website, you can link directly to local agencies posting their immediate need for volunteers. You can sign up as an individual, or as a group. If you can't find the opportunity that suits you or your company's needs, United Way will work with you to find a match that best meets your needs.

Sign up today at www.LIVEUNITEDsepa.org/daysofcaring and experience the benefits of volunteering for you and your community.

See below for more photos
from the First Day of 365 days 0f Caring!

Sponsors of the First Day of
365 Days of Caring 2009

• Vanguard
• Deloitte
• Lockheed Martin
• Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company
• PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Acme Markets
• Independence Blue Cross
• McNeil Consumer Healthcare
• Johnson & Johnson-Merck
  Consumer Pharmaceuticals Company
• UPS Metro Philadelphia District

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Introducing United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania's 2009 Campaign Cabinet!

Fifty-four influential and powerful area leaders make up this year's United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania (UWSEPA) Campaign Cabinet, which will oversee the 2009 Campaign. Chairing this year's Campaign Cabinet is Rosemary Turner, Vice President of UPS—Metro Philadelphia District.

Ms. Turner described this year's Campaign Cabinet (listed on the right) as "representative of the diversity of our community. They are an impressive group of community leaders who understand the need to support United Way's efforts to invest in our community. They are realists yet enthusiastic and dedicated to the mission of United Way. This unique Cabinet will definitely make a difference in this year's Campaign."

Joe Frick, CEO of Independence Blue Cross is Vice-Chair of the Campaign, and will Chair the 2010 Campaign.

Comprised of a cross-section of dedicated community leaders, the Campaign Cabinet works hand-in-hand with United Way staff as they plan, implement and oversee the annual campaign. Leading the UWSEPA staff is President and CEO Jill Michal, who said, "The Campaign Cabinet is fueled by the desire to advance the common good for our community. Their energy and passion give me every confidence that we will succeed in raising the money necessary to improve conditions in our focus areas of Education for Children, Income for Families and Health for Seniors."

Whether it is helping to establish employee giving campaigns, arranging company presentations, or speaking with civic groups and other organizations, the members of this year's Campaign Cabinet are dedicated to sharing the United Way's mission with the community. They truly represent what it means to LIVE UNITED.

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A Yellowbook Moment!

Yellow Book President Joe Walsh, addressing a gathering of employees at the company's campaign Kick Off, announced that he, too, is planning to continue his support of United Way and the positive changes it is helping to make in the community.

Yellowbook likes to say that a Yellowbook moment can happen anytime, anywhere. One of those very important moments took place on September 9 right outside its King of Prussia offices in the employee parking lot. Five hundred plus Yellowbook employees gathered to support and show how they are Living United.

Yellowbook kicked off its 2009 United Way employee campaign with a celebration under a massive tent filled with fun, food and tremendously enthusiastic employees.

Last year, under the national leadership of company President Joe Walsh, Yellowbook employees in King of Prussia surpassed their goal of $120,000. Once again, they have a strong campaign committee of 35 ambassadors, with 30 returning from last year. They are led by returning Employee Campaign Chairs John Wholey, V.P. Publishing, and Maria Mitchell, Asst. V.P. of Publishing, who also organized the kick off event.

John Wholey opened up the event by thanking the employees of Yellowbook for exceeding $115,000 the last two years and for 67% workplace participation last year.

"United Way reaches so many valuable agencies and they are the vehicle that enables us to give back to the community. People in our own backyard are struggling right now. We are running our campaign to help those people."

Mr. Walsh reinforced his commitment to United Way by speaking to the importance of the work United Way does, and by proclaiming that he personally will be giving to United Way this year.

As John Wholey so eloquently summed up the day's event, "It starts with one person, but together we can make a great impact."

Employee Campaign Chairs John Wholey, V.P. Publishing, and Maria Mitchell, Asst. V.P. of Publishing, also organized the Kick Off event.

Some of Yellowbook's favorite quotes. Click to enlarge.

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Elvis is in the Building at Unum!

All eyes turned toward the door when he walked in. His long dark hair was somewhat tousled…um, tufted? Okay, it was matted. His extra thick sideburns were strangely connected to his dark sunglasses. And his wide glittery bedazzled belt flapped behind him where the safety pins couldn't quite hold it together. There was a split second of complete silence, and then the entire room erupted in laughter and applause.

It was the Unum United Way Campaign Kick Off celebration held August 31, and employee Doug Jordan, Sr. Supplemental Benefits Consultant was voted as the sales representative who had to wear the Elvis Presley costume as a fundraising idea. Doug actually got off fairly easy considering the original costume was supposed to have been a pink hippo!

And that was just the start of a long list of special events that the Unum Campaign Committee, led by Employee Campaign Chair Kristy McCoy, Sr. Account Consultant, has planned for the 50 or so employees in its Wayne office.

In addition to the Elvis costume, Unum employees enjoyed a breakfast kick-off meeting with a representative from UWSEPA who spoke to them regarding the changes at United Way and how those changes are already making an impact on important issues facing the community. Not stopping at Elvis, future events include a 50/50 raffle, penny wars, basket raffle, candy jar guessing game, candy grams, casual dress day pass, bake sale, pretzel sale, car wash and a special fundraiser centered entirely around food!

Doug Jordan of Unum "won" the right to don an Elvis Presley costume for the company's 2009 United Way Campaign kick off celebration on August 31.

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More Photos from the First Day of
365 Days of Caring!!!

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Give.

When you invest in the United Way Community Impact Fund, you maximize the only return on your charitable dollar that matters - results.

The United Way Community Impact Fund is the backbone of a strategy for change in our region that is preparing children to achieve in school and life, building self sufficiency for adults and families, and keeping seniors healthy and safe at home. Our unparalleled expertise; network of relationships in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors; and incorporation of both innovation and the lessons of experience into our approach make the United Way Community Impact Fund the most effective means of making a difference in the community.

Learn more

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Advocate.

Anyone can champion the cause. Whether you're speaking out to improve education, income and health, reaching out to members of Congress, or wearing the LIVE UNITED shirt to show your support, you can help inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow. So go ahead and advocate in a LIVE UNITED world. Do it in public. Be visible. Be loud.

Learn more

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Volunteer.

Volunteering is one of the best ways to contribute to the overall well-being of our region. You have the chance to learn new skills, make friends, and, most importantly, to share your experience and your willingness to help with those who need it the most.

Volunteering is open to any individual or group who are willing to roll up their sleeves to help make the Southeastern Pennsylvania a better place for everyone to live. To become involved, visit United Way's VolunteerMatch website, or call 215-665-2474.

Learn more

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

For all past issues of this publication,
please visit the
2009 United Way Campaign
Good News Archives

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2009 Campaign Cabinet Members

Campaign Chair

Rosemary Turner
Vice President
& Chief Operating Officer
UPS – Metro Philadelphia District

Campaign Vice Chair

Joseph A. Frick
President and CEO
Independence Blue Cross

Renee Amoore
President
The Amoore Group, Inc.

Mary Stengel Austen
President and CEO
Tierney Communications

Bruce C. Belzak
Managing Director
Marsh USA, Inc.

Dennis P. Bianchi
General Manager and President
NBC-10, WCAU

David R. Binswanger
President
Binswanger

Oray B. Boston
General Manager
Johnson & Johnson
Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals Company

Yvette D. Bright
Senior Vice President
& Chief Administrative Officer
Independence Blue Cross

Christopher L. Bruner
Office Managing Partner
Ernst & Young LLP

Karen Dougherty Buchholz
Vice President, Administration
Comcast Corporation

Mortimer J. Buckley
Managing Director,
Retail Investor Group
Vanguard

Michael J. Buongiorno
Executive Vice President
& Chief Financial Officer
Main Line Health

Christopher Butler
EVP & Chief Operating Officer
Independence Blue Cross

Julie Coker
General Manager
Hyatt Regency Philadelphia
at Penn's Landing

Melissa Coopersmith
Chief of Staff
Temple University

J. Gordon Cooney Jr., Esq.
Managing Partner - Philadelphia
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Terry D'Alessandro
Corporate Volunteer

James F. Devine
President and CEO
MidAtlantic Employers' Association

Angela Dowd-Burton
Corporate Volunteer

Jeffrey E. Dowds
Principal, Direct Investor Systems
Vanguard

Patrick J. Eiding
President
Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO

Orlando C. Esposito
Executive Vice President,
Corporate Banking
PNC

Jack Ferguson
Executive Vice President,
Convention Division
Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau

JoAnne Fischer
Executive Director
Maternity Care Coalition

Amy S. Frazier
Marketing and Sales Leader
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Deborah I. Hartnett
Vice President, Human Resources
Temple University

Thomas W. Hofmann
Corporate Volunteer

Richard C. Ill
President and CEO
Triumph Group, Inc.

John C.S. Kepner
Senior Vice President
Holy Redeemer Health System

Robert J. Keyes
Vice President/General Manager
Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Robert Q. Kreider
President and CEO
Devereux

Lyn R. Kremer
Publisher
Philadelphia Business Journal

Hugh J. Lavery
VP, Government & External Affairs
Jefferson University Hospital

Karen Lessin
Senior Vice President
Internal Audit & Corporate Compliance
Independence Blue Cross

John J. Lynch
President and CEO
Main Line Health System

Fred J. Maahs, Jr.
Senior Director, Community Investment
Comcast Corporation

Jerry J. Maginnis
Office Managing Partner
KPMG LLP

William C. McGinley
Partner
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

W. Frank McGrane
Senior Vice President,
Commercial Banking
Citizens Bank

Frederick William McNabb, III
President & CEO
Vanguard

Julie Natale Fenton
Assurance Partner,
Private Company Services
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Michael J. Pladus, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
School District of Upper Dublin

Lori F. Reiner, CPA
Partner
Amper, Politziner & Mattia, LLP

Judy Spires
President
Acme Markets, Inc.

Nakia Stith
President & CEO
Top of the Clock, Inc.

Nicholas D. Torres
President
Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc.

Lynn M. Utter
President and COO
Knoll, Inc.

John L. Walsh
President & COO
UGI Corporation/AmeriGas

Tara L. Weiner
Managing Partner
Deloitte

Patricia D. Wellenbach
President and CEO
Sandcastle Strategy Group

Howard "Chip" Wilson
Executive Vice President &
Director of Client Services
The Glenmede Trust Company, NA

Thomas C. Woodward
Market President - Pennsylvania
Senior Risk Manager - General Industries - East
Bank of America

David S.Yadgaroff
Vice President/General Sales Manager
KYW Newsradio 1060