United Way Announces Campaign Results and Awards
Greater Ottawa County United Way has completed its annual community campaign, and Thursday night (March 26, 2009) it announced campaign results and honored outstanding volunteers at its annual Celebration Dinner. One of the highlights of the event, held at Doubletree Hotel in Holland, was the announcement of a successful campaign, with a total raised of $2,021,693. 
Students from Grand Haven and Spring Lake High Schools united with staff to reveal campaign results
“Our goal was $2.11 million, set before we launched the campaign last summer,” said Jeff Beswick, Campaign Chair. He added, “Although the campaign came in at 96 percent of goal, we consider it a victory during difficult times. Our campaign coincided with the worst financial upheaval in decades, and many people in our community have been affected. Yet everyone who could—we estimate about 10,000 people—dug down deep and gave to help their neighbors.”
President Patrick Moran added, “I believe it is a validation of United Way’s mission and its vital role in the community that we were able to raise more than two million dollars this year. As a result of our generous donors, we do not anticipate having to reduce this year’s investment in the community from last year’s level. As a matter of fact, the community investment process has just about completed, and the community investment panels are working with the same level of funding as last year.”
Highlights of the campaign include 240 workplace campaigns completed, with 35 percent of those showing increases or staying the same compared with 2008 results. And for the fourth year in a row, United Way received a gift of $30,000 from an anonymous donor who early in the campaign “challenged” Tri-Cities leadership givers (those who give $500 or more per year) to increase their giving. In order to receive the $30,000, the campaign had to tally new or increased leadership gifts of at least $30,000 from Tri-Cities area donors. Louann Werksma, United Way’s new Director of Development, reported that 98 new or increased leadership gifts totaling $49,690 were received, handily meeting that challenge. Retiree giving was up 20 percent over last year, as well, and eight new workplace campaigns were launched. In addition, United Way ventured into new ways of raising funds and awareness in the community, such as “Shop for Good” and “Dine Out for Good” partnerships, with area stores and restaurants donating a percentage of their sales on designated days to United Way. And campaign officials are anticipating a late boost to the campaign total from this weekend’s WGHN FM spring radio auction, a portion of the proceeds from which have been designated for United Way.
United Way officials said that their work could not be done without the generosity of corporate partners and volunteers alike. A “bumper crop” of 39 volunteers comprised this year’s Campaign Cabinet, and 65 community members volunteered to work on community investment panels, to decide where the dollars that are raised should be allocated.
“All, in all, there was plenty to celebrate this year, because we didn’t lose campaigns, we gained them. There was a sense of common purpose throughout, with everyone putting in extra effort to achieve success,” Werksma added.
Among the successes celebrated at Thursday’s event, United Way applauded individuals and teams for their hard work and ingenuity. Elizabeth LeGrand of Dake Corporation in Grand Haven received the Joe Martella Above and Beyond Award. This award is given to a company campaign coordinator who finds new ways to emphasize the importance of, and add excitement to, the United Way campaign within his or her company.
Three Ottawa County companies--Grand Transformers, Inc., Harbor Industries, Inc.; and JSJ Corporation--were the recipients of the major Cappon & Bertsch Community Builder Award. This award recognizes the companies that GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER within the community and on behalf of United Way.
The prestigious G.W. Haworth Strength of the Community Award was, for the first time, given to a school district: Grand Haven Area Public Schools. The award recognizes the organization and/or individual that exemplifies United Way’s leadership spirit of volunteering, philanthropy, and community problem-solving. Grand Haven Area Public Schools was recognized for a successful campaign in all 12 of its buildings, the participation of its employees and retirees in United Way activities and as United Way volunteers, and for its early and comprehensive adoption of United Way’s Student Service Learning Program at Grand Haven High School.
In keeping with United Way’s LIVE UNITED philosophy, the Celebration focused on more than just campaign success. A new award—for Volunteer of the Year—was presented, and the inaugural recipient was Paul Thurman, of ITW Drawform. “Paul is dedicated to the United Way philosophy of Give, Advocate, Volunteer and Live United,” said Shannon Morton, Director of Volunteerism for Greater Ottawa County United Way. In small ways and in large, he is always out there, working for his community and for United Way.”
And on the “Advocate” side of the picture, United Way’s Director of Community Impact Liz Vanderby presented a new Impact Model to Celebration guests. To determine what the Impact Model should be, she explained, a task force representing organizations from throughout Ottawa County has been meeting since September’s release of the 5-year Ottawa County Community Assessment by United Way. “Using the information gathered in the Community Assessment, we have created a roadmap for the years ahead by focusing on three impact areas: Education, Financial Stability, and Health,” said Vanderby.
“United Way and its board, staff, and volunteers can’t thank our Ottawa County communities enough for their generosity and continuous
