Cedar Falls, IA – Two hundred and seventy-five community members gathered at Bien Venu Event Center Tuesday morning to celebrate the 100th Cedar Valley United Way campaign. Cedar Valley United Way President Debbie Roth, along with Board of Directors Chair Dr. Lucas Cook and Past Chair Jill Mejia announced $2,408,882 was raised during the recent annual campaign.
“The power of our community when we all come together is truly incredible, and we are very fortunate to have such a generous community,” says Past Board Chair, Jill Mejia.
Adds President Debbie Roth, “Since 1923, Cedar Valley United Way has provided over $127 million in funding to strengthen families, fill gaps, provide opportunities, support collaborations that address priority issues and also meet immediate needs, and to ultimately make the Cedar Valley a better place for our future generations. Cedar Valley United Way could not do all that we do without all the businesses and individuals who lend a hand. Because of community contributions, for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, we are able to support 63 programs through grants at 39 different organizations right here in the Cedar Valley.”
The annual campaign kicked off in August at Rally for the Valley and continued through the end of January. Money raised during the 2022 campaign will be distributed throughout the Cedar Valley based on recommendations from United Way Community Impact Teams. Using data and community collaborations, these volunteers review grant applications and determine how the dollars will be most effective.
Companies and individuals recognized during Breakfast of Champions included:
• Donna Kitrick, Volunteer of the Year
• John Deere, Creating a Caring Community Award
• Veridian Credit Union, Lending a Hand Award
• BerganKDV, 100 Year Hero Award
• Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo, Continuing Success Award
• SCHEELS, Team Player Award
• TrinityRail / Trinity Industries, Outstanding Philanthropic Achievement Award
• Heartland Bank and Trust, Best New Campaign / Campaign Newcomer Award
• American Color Imaging, You Can Count on Us Award
• Grow Cedar Valley, Impactful Giving Award
• Peters Construction Corporation, Building Our Community Award
Nine businesses were also recognized for having 100 percent employee participation in the 2022 campaign:
• Amperage Marketing and Fundraising
• Cedar Valley Preschool and Child Care Center
• Cedar Valley United Way
• Community Bank and Trust (Side note: this is Community Bank and Trust’s 25th consecutive year of 100% employee participation)
• Emergent Architecture
• First Bank
• First Interstate Bank
• ISG
• PDCM Insurance
For more information about Cedar Valley United Way or to learn how you can support our cause, visit www.cedarvalleyunitedway.org.