UNITED WAY OF CHESTER COUNTY KICKS OFF 2011-2012 CAMPAIGN WITH AWARDS CEREMONY

West Chester, PA – United Way of Chester County launched its 2011 fundraising campaign with a casual reception at Penn Oaks Golf Club on Thursday, August 25, 2011.  Attendees included volunteers and employees from hundreds of Chester County businesses, agencies and other organizations who currently support United Way or are interested in getting involved.

Award winners for the 2010-2011 Campaign were also announced. QVC took home the Spirit of Chester County Award while Fulton Bank and Omni Cable each were awarded Corporate Partner of the Year awards. Workplace Campaign Team of the Year awards went to Bentley Systems and Siemens Healthcare. Open Hearth, Inc. earned Partner Agency of the Year for their tireless work in financial stability and a true commitment to finding solutions to help people achieve self-sufficiency.

The annual meeting held during the event resulted in the election of three new board members – Gary Allen, Package Division Manager – Chesapeake District at UPS; Dr. Joe O’Brien, Chester County Intermediate Unit Executive Director; and David Zimmerman, Director of Service Innovation at QVC.

Board Chairman Roger Huggins remarke, “I am consistently amazed at the unbelievable talent of the people willing to donate their time to both the United Way of Chester County board and to our workplace campaigns.”

United Way President & CEO Claudia Hellebush set the tone for the event. “Despite lingering economic troubles, this year was overwhelmingly positive. We still have work to do in the coming year and are confident in all of our partners to help us reach our goals.”

Chairing the 2011-2012 Campaign is Al Rundle, Director of Colleague Communications at Bentley Systems, Inc. Rundle explains, “Sincere thanks to all of our partners who make our work possible. Whether you believe you can or can’t, you’re bound to be right. I choose to believe that we can and that the 2011-2012 campaign will reflect that.”

The 2010-2011 Campaign raised $5, 286,858  in pledged contributions, thanks in part to our highly involved business partners. Currently, United Way of Chester County funds 74 programs through 50 agencies in support of our community impact strategies that focus on the building blocks of a good life for all – education, income and health. Our results-oriented approach has demonstrated the impact United Way of Chester County has in the community and has attracted and retained donors looking for an effective and trustworthy organization.

For more information about supporting United Way of Chester County please call 610-429-9400 or go online to www.unitedwaychestercounty.org