United Way begins 2009 fundraising drive with a rainy rally and 1,500 volunteers for Day of Caring!
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The downpour of rain on Friday, September 18th set a new record across the Mid-South, but the hundreds of people gathered at United Way's fundraising kickoff were anything but gloomy as General Campaign Chairman Jerry Collins led rally at Christ The Rock Metro Church, 8800 Winchester Rd. and reminded the crowd to focus on addressing people’s needs rather than the weather or news reports about an uncertain economy.
The kickoff rally was the official start to United Way’s regional fundraising campaign, which will end in late February, 2010.
Hosting the Day of Caring kickoff this year was Charles Burkett, President of First Tennessee and Chairman of the Board of Directors for United Way of the Mid-South. Reverend Chris Bennett, Pastor of Christ The Rock Metro Church, delivered the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by NCCS Walt Clark and NC1 Cristy Justice from our United States Navy.
As Burkett brought Collins to the stage during his introduction, he observed “I had this job a few years ago, and I know how much hard work it takes. Talking about Collins' work as General Campaign Chairman, he added, “this year’s chairman has already shown that he is dedicated to two things: keeping his eyes on raising funds and having fun.”
“It is a great honor and responsibility to be the General Campaign Chairman for United Way this year,” Collins said. “There are many who think that when it comes to fundraising, we have to focus on the economy. I'm not sure about that - no one ever gave more because they watched an economics forecast, but many have answered the call when a neighbor, friend or family member has asked for help.”
Earlier in the program, Myron Lowery, Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Memphis and A C Wharton, Shelby County Mayor saluted the volunteers for their willingness to help people in need and make a difference by giving and volunteering.
Martha Perine Beard, United Way's volunteer Chairwoman for Community Impact, spoke to the volunteers about the unique challenges the area's nonprofit sector faces. "This year, our United Way fundraising drive and our nonprofit sector are working to improve people’s lives in the midst of a challenging national economy. We have more people in need of health and human services, and fewer resources available to provide assistance,” she said. “Your support of United Way is all the more critical during times like these.” Perine-Beard is Senior Executive Officer, Memphis Region of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Memphis Branch.
Frank Gusmus, President of FTN Financial, is also the volunteer chairman for United Way of the Mid-South’s Tocqueville Society. Gusmus gave the crowd a brief history lesson on the Society, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The Tocqueville Society was founded by Ira Lipman and a group of 16 philanthropists who banded together and pledged to give $10,000 each to our United Way fundraising campaign in a single year. The society has continued to grow through the years as philanthropists from across the region have seen the value of supporting our area’s United Way drive. “The Society started with 17 people with a great idea of impacting our common good. It now has 205 members who gave a total of nearly $4 million just last year,” he said. “2009 marks a very significant anniversary – an anniversary that had has long-term benefits for countless people across our community.”
Irving Calliste, President of the Memphis AFL-CIO Labor Council, spoke to the crowd about the importance Organized Labor brings to the fundraising success of United Way, and encouraged his brothers and sisters in organized labor to continue supporting the United Way cause.
Harry Shaw, President of the United Way of the Mid-South, along with Regina Walker, United Way's Senior Vice President of Community Impact, announced the total of United Way’s staff giving campaign. United Way employees raised $222,604 for this year’s campaign, an all-time record for the staff of 52. There was 100% participation and each employee is a Leadership Giver ($500 or more per individual).
Steve Franklin, Senior Program Manager, Medtronic, announced Medtronic employees raised $230,768 for this year’s campaign. This total for Medtronic represented an increase of over $36,000 at a time when Medtronic has fewer employees in the workplace. Franklin remarked that Medtronic employees were on-track with Collins' advice to keep their eyes on people in need and have a fun, energized campaign.
Marvin Smith, Managing Director, FedEx Worldwide Services, presented a $1 million corporate gift from FedEx Corporation! FedEx continues to be the single-largest contributing corporation to our local United Way fundraising campaign, and FedEx employees regularly raise the most funds for United Way across our region. FedEx also provided the single largest number of volunteers for the Day of Caring worksites across the Mid-South.
After the FedEx, Medtronic and United Way staff presentations, Collins joked that in just ten minutes, United Way has already raised $1,453,372 for the fundraising effort, and perhaps the rally "should be extended for several hours." He then reminded the volunteer crowd that raising funds takes a lot of work, and that if people participate with a spirit of helping their fellow man and having fun, we will see our greatest results this year.
Collins saluted the front-line workers for this year’s campaign, pointing out the men and women who make up this year's Loaned Executives and Sponsored Representatives class, UW nonprofit agency personell and the United Way staff.
The Day of Caring rally ended on a “high note” as a special singing group from Smith & Nephew gave the crowd a treat with a rendition of “Love Train." These same Smith & Nephew employees voluntarily sing on behalf of our fundraising campaign several times a year, giving their rousing and inspirational voices for our community: John Grise, Wayne Parks, Leslie Parson and Robert McClatchey. The group really got the crowd moving and clapping and geared up for another critical campaign for this year!
Day of Caring volunteers participated in a wide variety of projects from landscaping and grounds improvements to interacting with children and adults with special needs due to physical challenges. Day of Caring volunteers departed Christ the Rock Metro Church at 8:45 a.m. and arrived at more than 77 nonprofit agency sites, where most worked until late afternoon.
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