“I hope you all think it’s a good goal,” Jennell Tebbetts, 2009 United Way drive chair, told a room full of people Thursday. “We think it is. I think we can do this. ... So lets start.”
Thursday’s audience for the kickoff luncheon at the Granada consisted of past drive chairs, Pacesetter companies, United Way agencies, board members and community members. Dean Hollenbeck, Pacesetter campaign chair, said more than 60 percent of all funds that comes in during the campaign are raised by the Pacesetter companies. This year, the companies have raised $237,458 to date.
“That’s almost $26,000 more than last year,” Hollenbeck said.
Pacesetter companies are: Bank of America, Camoplast, Detroit Diesel, ESB Financial, Emporia’s Radio Stations, Glendo Corporation, Hopkins Manufacturing, JC Penney, John North Ford, Kansas Gas Service, Longbine Auto Plaza, Lyon County State Bank, The Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas, Modern Air Conditioning, Navrats Office Supplies, Newman Regional Health, Norfolk Iron and Metal, Sauder Custom Fabrication, Tyson Fresh Meats, USD 253 Central Office, Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, UPS, Wal-Mart, Westar Energy and Wolf Creek Nuclear Operations.
Tebbetts said before the kickoff luncheon and before the campaign begins a lot of work has to go on.
“A lot has to get done before this,” she said.
Tebbetts thanked many people in her talk, including the Pacesetter companies.
“Pacesetter companies are our backbone — they are the heart of our drive,” she said.
Steve Sauder, past drive chair, was the featured speaker during the kickoff luncheon. He said the effort Emporia puts into the United Way is defining.
“The United Way and the effort we put into Emporia defines who we are,” Sauder said. Sauder added that the Granada Theatre, which was recently renovated, is another example of how Emporia gets things done.
Sauder said when he was drive chair in 1999, the campaign was the first to raise more than $600,000 — raising about $618,000 total.
“We just took over the United Way campaign,” Sauder said. “Emporia came through with flying colors.”
Tebbetts has a daunting task this year, Sauder said. In contrast to Sauder’s drive, which was in the best economic times, Tebbetts is serving in one of the worst economic times — with a goal of $600,000.
“I would say her job is almost impossible if we weren’t Emporia, Kansas,” he said. “We keep getting it done. We have a tremendous legacy here in Emporia. While Jennell has taken on a daunting task, I have no doubt she will succeed.”
Sauder closed his address with words from his father.
“My dad used to say — and my dad loved to give — ‘don’t give until it hurts. Give until it feels good,’” Sauder said, adding that he anticipates that it will be a good year for United Way.
“It’s one of the great legacies of the Emporia community,” he said.
Jami Reever talked about her experience moving into Emporia as the new executive director of the United Way of the Flint Hills. She said she and her family were welcomed with open arms from the community.
“I have been blown away by what I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” Reever said.
Reever said giving — and receiving — is personal.
“There is a lot of personal stuff going on here in Emporia,” she said. “It’s personal when you take money out of each paycheck week after week and month after month and it’s really personal when you need to ask for services....”
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