United Way 2009 Campaign Surpasses $4.2 Million!

At a meeting of more than 650 business leaders and community volunteers, United Way of the CSRA announced an impressive $4,276,251 million dollars was raised during its 2009 annual campaign.  The six month-long effort, which engaged hundreds of volunteers, was endorsed by more than 700 businesses and countless donors in the Central Savannah River Area.

“The generosity of the people in the CSRA never ceases to amaze us,” said Dr. Michael Ash, Vice President for Administration at the Medical College of Georgia and the 2009 Campaign Chair.  “We applaud your efforts, we salute your hard work, and we appreciate your philanthropic spirit.  This campaign is an effort that begins and ends with the volunteers.  We simply could not accomplish a task this great without you.  The people of this community will reap the benefits of your labor through more than 40 funded programs.  Thank you for being part of the solution here in the CSRA and thank you for your dedication to United Way. ”

The announcement came today as United Way hosted its 2010 Annual Meeting at the Augusta Marriott Hotel and Suites. The event, which was sponsored by Comcast, AT&T, First Bank of Georgia, Georgia Power, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company, and Southern Nuclear Operating Company, was hosted by WAGT NBC Augusta 26 personalities Liz Hill and Jay Jefferies.  Keynote speaker for the “Winter Wonderland” themed event was Mayor Deke Copenhaver of the City of Augusta.  Entertainment was provided by Isaac Holmes of Paine College and Megan Luquire and dancers from the Augusta West Performing Company.

In other event news, United Way chose the Annual Meeting as an avenue to present several of its annual awards:

The 2009 Alvin W. Vogtle Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Walter Dukes, Regional Vice President of Georgia Power. Russ Dedrickson, Plant Manager of Southern Nuclear Operating Company – Plant Vogtle, presented the award along with a check for $2,000 to be donated to a charity of choice.  Mr. Dukes, who was nominated by Metro Augusta Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the CSRA, is a longstanding community volunteer who has served in numerous civic, community and philanthropic roles in the area.  In one of his most recent endeavors, he was instrumental in helping The Salvation Army raise over $33 million for The Kroc Center which recently broke ground. 

The 2009 Hospital Competition Award was presented by United Way Chairman, Mark Maund, to University Health Care System.  The award is based on total per capita giving inclusive of the corporate gift. Participants in this year’s competition included Doctors Hospital, MCG Health Inc., and University Health Care System.

The 2009 Spirit of Community Award, which is given to the company hosting the most comprehensive, creative, and innovative United Way campaign, was presented to Proctor & Gamble Manufacturing Company.  Finalists for this award also included: Georgia Power, DSM Chemicals, Medical College of Georgia, MCG Health Inc., University Health Care System, First Bank of Georgia, and Pepsi Bottling Company.