Fort HealthCare United Way campaign exceeds goal
Monday, January 9, 2012
Representatives of Fort HealthCare gathered around a very large check to celebrate the recently completed goal topping United Way campaign. The campaign ran for a number of weeks this fall, and resulted in the donation of $39,132 to United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties.
The donation was the result of employee fundraising activities that included a general appeal with payroll deductions, incentives for time off and other rewards for increased or early giving, a silent auction and department sponsored bake sales. Fort HealthCare staff engaged in a campaign kickoff ice cream social to raise awareness and distribute pledge forms. During the campaign, drawings for prizes such as days off with pay, gift certificates and logo wear were held to encourage participation. Winners included those who increased giving by 10 percent over last year, who contributed three dollars or more per pay period and for the team raising the highest percentage of their goal.
Kelli Strese, Pharmacy and Angie Hommen, Business Services, volunteered to be the Fort HealthCare Campaign co-chairs, and were assisted by Debbie Pantely, Administration. Approximately thirty fundraising teams have been established within Fort HealthCare so that individual departments or sites can increase their internal competition to raise funds. Annually, teams donate prizes to the silent auction, hold bake sales and lunch-time food sales to raise funds towards their goal. This year, the Kids Konnection Day Care was the most successful team, raising 206 percent of their goal. Kids Konnection staff will be treated to a free lunch sponsored by Fort HealthCare.
Kristin Wallace, executive director of the local United Way, was thrilled with the monies raised by Fort HealthCare employees. “Fort HealthCare has long been one of United Way’s largest campaigns in the area. We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the Fort HealthCare employees – in good and in difficult economic times. Congratulations to Kids Konnection for having such an outstanding participation rate! ”
Employer based fundraising is a critical component of the United Way’s annual campaign. Funds raised this way and through the community campaign address many community priorities such as improving community health, addressing the needs of at risk youth, strengthening families, building and maintaining family financial stability and integrating diverse populations. In 2011, 26 local agencies were allocated a total of $225,000.