United Way celebration next week
By Bobbi Mlynar
Originally published 11:26 a.m., January 3, 2008
Updated 11:26 a.m., January 3, 2008
A few remaining packets from local companies, coupled with contributions from several national companies, could bring the United Way of the Flint Hills to its fundraising goal for the 2007 campaign.
Whether all of the money has been turned in officially, the group plans to hold its fundraising celebration and annual meeting from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Memorial Union Ballroom at Emporia State University.
The luncheon, which is open to the public, will cost $10 a person. The entree will be beef stroganoff. Reservations must be made by noon Monday, by calling the United Way office, 342-7564.
“That’s one of the things I like to always mention. Everyone is invited,” said United Way Director Duane Dreiling. “We like to make sure that people know that it is open to the public.”
Dreiling said that the final collection total should be close to the $610,000 goal set earlier this year by Drive Chairman Larie Schoap and the United Way board.
The drive currently has brought in $585,000 in money and pledges, and a number of companies have yet to turn in their packets. Reports of contributions also are due from the United Way of America, which is a collection point for distributing funds from several national companies with operations in Emporia.
“Wal-Mart, AT&T and UPS are some of those national companies that we get reports through United Way of America,” Dreiling said.
Those reports could make a substantial difference to the local campaign.
“For some of these larger United Ways, it’s not a big deal, but for a smaller United Way, these totals mean so much to us,” he said.
Topeka, for example, has a goal of $15 million for its United Way campaign, and late reporting on those national companies is not as significant as it is in Emporia.
“Every little bit counts in helping us reach the goal of $610,000,” Dreiling said.
“We’re hoping, cautiously optimistic, that we will be able to reach the goal of $610,000,” he said. “But with that said, even raising where we are now ... I think that’s a true testament to the community in support of the 24 agencies that make up United Way of the Flint Hills.”
Dreiling said that contributions were up considerably in several areas, including the Pacesetter campaign led by Connie Cahoone.
“I think it’s really exciting that the Pacesetter companies as a group raised $25,000 more than they had the year before,” he said. “The Pacesetters did an outstanding job.”
Dreiling also singled out Detroit Diesel as a “great success” story.
“This is the first year that they did a dollar-for-dollar match from their employees, so that really helped in surpassing what they had raised in the past,” he said. “Emporia State University was up considerably. There really were several other ones that really were successful in their workplace campaigns.”
Tyson Fresh Meats collected about $3,000 more than in its 2006 campaign, which had been about $3,000 more than in the 2005 drive.
“And again, the company does a 25 percent match on what employees raise, and we’re very appreciative to the company as well as the employees,” Dreiling said.
Contributions from the public also will continue to be accepted at the United Way office and at Wednesday’s victory luncheon.
ESU President Mike Lane will be the speaker at the event.
gr8ggogli (anonymous) says...
Bravo for the pace setter companies. They did a great job twisting their employees arms this year. Woohoo! Just gives ya a warm fuzzy feeling all over.
January 7, 2008 at 7:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
traceygraham (Tracey Graham) says...
Is the meeting open to people who can't afford to pay $10 for a lunch they can't eat? What if they just stand in the back?
January 8, 2008 at 7:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hillbilly (anonymous) says...
And we all want to thank tyson so much this year for all that they have done for the community. and what their employees have donated to such a fine organization. barf
For those you you who have lived under a rock, the last year or so, tyson has been everywhere advertising in the newspaper, donating more that ever before ,showing and telling everyone of us how the are such a big part of the community, Spending money on things that they have never done before for the community.
I wonder if it is because of the somalian problem locally, or is it because a lot of people locally have stopped buying their product. what ever it is , it has got them to show there face, personally to me the damn place will always stink in more ways than one...
sure sure, get back to the topic,
OK JUST how many arms were almost torn off by big dumb (huge people hired for supervisor's to intimate and to cuss and yell at smaller workers, a practice at all tyson plants)supervisors at tyson to MAKE the employees give to the united way. Yep , its true, that you MUST give , if not. you as an employee will suffer, as far as being threatened to the point of being fired.. don't tell me this isn't true, I KNOW...BEEN THERE-DONE THAT .you all have a great day.........
January 8, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )