Cedar Valley United Way Tops $3 Million in Giving

WATERLOO, IA – Cedar Valley United Way topped $3 million in giving for the first time, raising $3,035,315.18 during the 2009 campaign. The announcement was made during the Breakfast of Champions at the John Deere Supervisors’ Club Thursday morning.

“We saw a lot of new growth in the campaign,” said David Rodger, global director, large tractor product line at John Deere Waterloo Operations and 2009 campaign co-chair. “There were 50 companies who gave new corporate gifts in 2009, 45 companies who held a new employee campaign and 161 new individual gifts were received from people not affiliated with a company or organization . On top of that, 58 companies, schools and other organizations had special, internal fundraisers for United Way this year. That is over $133,000 of new money for the United Way campaign.”

“It exciting that at a time when many in our community are struggling, our community has stepped up to help meet the increasing need in the Cedar Valley,” said Jim Mudd, Sr., chief spiritual officer of The Mudd Group and 2009 campaign co-chair. “Soon the money raised will be working to strengthen individuals, children and families here in our community.”

For the first time since the annual Community Campaigns began in 1923, the $3 million mark was surpassed. In 1980, $2 million was reached for the first time.

“We are incredibly thankful to Dave and Jim and our Campaign Cabinet for their leadership in the 2009 campaign,” said Sheila Baird, president of Cedar Valley United Way. “The growth in giving is a testament to their work in sharing the mission of Cedar Valley United Way with companies who have had little or no giving in the past.”

Individuals and companies recognized during the Breakfast of Champions included:

• Super Supreme Award – Jack Dusenbery, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
• Diving In Award – Karma Fischer, US Bank
• Hats Off Award – Vicki Grimes, University of Northern Iowa
• Laying the Foundation Award – Wally Sulentic
• Good Soul Award – Greg Brown, EPIC Photography
• 2009 Loaned Executives – Katie Feldmann and Heather Stahl, First National Bank of Cedar Falls; Katie Miller, Veridian Credit Union; Pat Anderson, Sam Elsbernd, and Liza Lichtenberg, University of Northern Iowa
• Live United Spirit Award – MidWest One Bank
• It’s In the Bag Award – Witham Auto Centers
• Pillar of Caring Award – Dr. Walter Cunningham School of Excellence
• Building the Community Award – International Paper
• Lending a Hand Award – John Deere Waterloo Operations
• Step Above the Rest – Lamar Advertising
• You Can Count on Us – Veridian Credit Union

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

• Cedar Valley Preschool & Child Care
• Cedar Valley United Way
• Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa
• Community National Bank
• Cover-All Advertising & Promotions
• Emergency Practice Associates, Inc.
• Hawkeye Chapter of the American Red Cross
• Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments
• Kugler Construction
• ME&V
• Nelson Properties/Midtown Development
• Northland Products Company
• Peters Construction Corporation
• Wells Fargo Advisors
• Winnebago Council, Boy Scouts of America

Over $655,000 of the campaign total was given in Leadership Gifts, individual and employee contributions totaling $1,000 or more. There were over 600 Leadership Giver and of those, 148 are new. The number of Emerging Leader gifts, contributions from donors 40 years old and younger who give $500 or more, increased 50% to 209.

“As we look to the future, we want to continue this growth to meet the needs of our community,” Baird said. “Three million is a number we can and should celebrate, but the need in the Cedar Valley continues to grow and United Way is working to ensure we will grow with it.”

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 2010-11 funding cycle, 108 local programs that aim to support the education, income and health of the Cedar Valley have requested $3,768,534 in funding – a record amount. Economic grants totaling $246,000 have already been dispersed in the community to meet the increased demand for human services in these uncertain times. Recipients of the yearly funding grants will be announced in May. Programs that received funding in the past have included after-school and child care programs, disaster services, elderly transportation, community meals and help for victims of domestic violence. Cedar Valley United Way also funds 2-1-1 Information and Referral services.

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

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