| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 6/3/2009 |
Contact: Claudia Hellebush 610-429-9400 claudia.hellebush@unitedwaychestercounty.org |
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UWCC CELEBRATES THE END OF 2008-2009 CAMPAIGN Steve Shihadeh, VP of Microsoft Health Solutions Group and UWCC Board Chair, summarized, “United Way is tremendously moved that in a difficult year for all of us, when many of us are cutting back, the vast majority of our companies and donors recognized that charity and giving back to your community is not the place to economize.” The Closing Celebration recognizes outstanding performance among United Way corporate supporters. This year, the Spirit of Chester County Award was presented to Citadel Federal Credit Union, a model of corporate citizenship in Chester County. Their campaign has more than doubled in the last 5 years, they are among the top 20 companies in percentage of employee participation, and they stepped up like no other when it came time to reach out and help the victims of the Coatesville Arsons. Summit Awards for outstanding employee and corporate support were presented to First National Bank of Chester County, The County of Chester, and Pepperidge Farm, Inc. The Summit Award for outstanding community service was presented to the employees of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. These awards reflect the wide range of support United Way of Chester County has throughout the region, illustrating that corporations and employees alike know how important it is to Live United. Brian Smith, Chief Operating Officer at AEGON Direct Marketing Services and 2008-2009 UWCC Campaign Chair, recognized many companies who exemplified the spirit of Live United. “The spirit of Chester County remains strong, as evidenced by the top 30 companies and their employees achieving a 21% increase in fundraising efforts this year! Because of such generosity and leadership, we are projecting our year end to be down less than 9%. Accomplishing that in a year like we have all had certainly bodes well for the future and illustrates just how dedicated and committed the Chester County community is.” Claudia Hellebush, President and CEO of United Way of Chester County, said “We couldn’t be more proud of what we accomplished together this year. We were able to continue large investments in our Community Impact Agenda, funding 88 programs in basic needs, children and youth, healthy living and strengthening families. We had 1,083 volunteers give 5,415 hours of service through our Days of Caring, translating to $108,300 of free work for local nonprofits. We celebrate these achievements and we celebrate the partnerships that make it happen.” |