FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2015
CONTACT: Mary Cranfill
Mary.cranfill@uwforsyth.org
336-721-9332 (office)
336-782-6104(cell)
United way of Forsyth county exceeds community campaign goal
Winston-Salem, NC ….. On Thursday, February 19, United Way of Forsyth County celebrated the end of the 2014 Community Campaign with a total raised of $16.93 million, $430,000 over the goal of $16.5 million. The community campaign represents the largest part of the $20.8 million total resource development goal which also includes grants, foundation donations, and major gifts. “We won’t receive numbers from the other parts of resource development for a few months,” says Mark Uren, Vice President of Resource Development. “However we are on track to achieve our goal and the success of our community campaign brings us one step closer.”
Cantey Alexander, Triad Regional President of BB&T and 2014 Campaign Chair, welcomed a crowd of over a hundred volunteers, partners, and community members who came to the celebratory luncheon despite the bitter cold. “This is all because of you,” Alexander told the crowd. “We couldn’t have raised so much without all the work of dedicated volunteers. This kind of commitment by businesses, non-profits, and volunteers to educate our children, build financially stable families, and ensure the health of our citizens is what makes Forsyth County a truly special place.” Alexander then introduced Tommy Payne, President of Niconovum USA, Inc., an RAI subsidiary, as the 2015 Community Campaign chair and passed the traditional first dollar donated to Payne.
Cindy Gordineer, President and CEO of United Way of Forsyth County, wrapped up the event by thanking Alexander as well as volunteers and agencies and by remarking on how great Forsyth County is. “While many other United Ways across the country are struggling to meet their goals and have trouble finding campaign chairs, we have companies and donors who understand the value of investing in the community, and people like Cantey and Tommy who are excited about serving as campaign chairs,” said Gordineer. “We are so thankful to have the kind of support to allow us to focus on the critical issues of education, financial stability, and health and be a catalyst for long-term impact.”
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United Way of Forsyth County strengthens our community by focusing on improving student success and the high school graduation rate, increasing financial stability among lower-income individuals and families, broadening access to health care and prescription medications to the un- and under-insured, and providing short-term assistance to stabilize those facing immediate crisis. Learn more about our work at ForsythUnitedWay.org.