Cedar Valley United Way Sees 2 Percent Increase in Giving

WATERLOO, IA – Cedar Valley United Way announced a 2 percent increase in giving during the 2008 campaign, raising $2,830,765.91. The announcement was made during the Breakfast of Champions at the John Deere Supervisors’ Club Tuesday morning.

“In spite of all that happened in 2008, the community stepped up and increased giving to the Cedar Valley United Way campaign,” said Waterloo Mayor Tim Hurley, 2008 campaign co-chair. “That’s a testament to the strength of the Cedar Valley and the people who live here.”

“It’s great to celebrate the giving spirit in the Cedar Valley,” said Kathy McCoy, Hurley’s wife and co-chair of the 2008 campaign. “I’m happy we’ve been able to help Cedar Valley United Way serve those in need here in our community.”

Companies and individuals recognized during the Breakfast of Champion included:

• Employee Campaign Managers of the Year – Tom Penaluna, The CBE Group, Inc.; Dan Conrad, Cedar Falls Community Schools; Katie Slade, Exceptional Persons, Inc.; Michelle Sullivan and John Stanford, the isle® casino and hotel at waterloo; Ron Wood, KPR Holding; Cliff Chancey, University of Northern Iowa; Dr. Gary Norris, Waterloo Community Schools.
• Rock Solid Award – Standard Golf Company
• Cornerstone Award – John Deere Waterloo Operations
• “Don’t Try This at Home” Award for Creativity – ME&V
• 2008 Partners in Giving – The Courier
• 2008 Philanthropic Excellence Awards
  • Allen Memorial Hospital
  • City of Waterloo
  • Ferguson Waterloo Distribution Center
  • ME&V
  • The Salvation Army
  • Scheels – College Square Mall
  • Scheels – Crossroads Mall
  • Schumacher Elevator Company
  • Struxture Architects
  • USBank
  • Younkers – College Square Mall

Nineteen businesses were also recognized for having 100 percent participation in the 2008 campaign. Those organizations are:

• AAA Minnesota/Iowa
• Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors
• Cedar Valley United Way
• Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa
• Emergency Practice Associates, Inc.
• Family & Children's Council of Black Hawk County
• Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois
• Heaton Adams & Company P.C.
• Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments
• Liberty Bank
• ME&V
• Modern Painting, Inc.
• Nelson Properties/Midtown Development
• PDCM Insurance Co.
• Wachovia Securities
• Waterloo City Attorney
• Waterloo Mayor's Office
• Waterloo Planning & Zoning
• Winnebago Council, Boy Scouts of America

Over $613,000 of the campaign total was given in Leadership Gifts, contributions totaling $1,000 or more. Leadership giving increased six percent over 2007.

“At a time when it would have been easy to say ‘not this year’ the people of the Cedar Valley dug a little deeper and gave more than ever before,” said Sheila Baird, president of Cedar Valley United Way. “We are very thankful for the volunteers, led by Mayor Hurley and Kathy McCoy, and the thousands of donors who made this possible. United Ways across the country are reporting decreases in their campaigns and we have a two percent increase.”

The annual campaign kicked off in August and continued through January. Now the work begins for the volunteers who take part in Community Impact Teams that review grant applications to make recommendations on how the money can most effectively be distributed. For the 2009-10 funding cycle, 104 grant applications have been received. Recipients will be announced in May. In 2008, Cedar Valley United Way provided funding to 91 programs throughout the Cedar Valley that focus on helping children and youth succeed, supporting the elderly and disabled, and poverty reduction.

For more information about Cedar Valley United Way or to learn how you can contribute, visit www.cedarvalleyunitedway.org.

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