United Way raises $1.17 million, about 90 percent of ‘bold’ goal

The campaign was complicated by the partial government shutdown in October, but the United Way of Anderson County raised close to $1.2 million this year, or about 90 percent of its goal.

The results were announced at an annual meeting and campaign announcement at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge on Thursday.

The campaign goal, which was described as “bold,” had been $1.3 million. The total amount raised was $1,172,742. The United Way said this will allow for stable funding for its agency programs.

“Unfortunately, we will not be able to increase funding to our community partners,” UWAC Executive Director Rick Morrow said. “Last year’s total resulted in a reduction of $200,000 to the funding pool, and this year’s total will only allow for continued funding at that level.”

United Way raised $1,277,771 last year. The goal then had been $1.4 million.

“UWAC raises funds in one year to be allocated to their community partners the next,” the press release said. “The 2013 campaign was complicated by the partial government shutdown in October 2013. In response to the possibility of extensive furloughs, UWAC worked in conjunction with B&W Y-12 to prepare a ‘Resource Fair’ with 32 helping agencies ready to assist those impacted by the shutdown. Fortunately, the shutdown was resolved, and the resource fair was not needed.”

The crowd at Thursday’s annual meeting included United Way staff, board members, agencies, volunteers and guests.

UWAC Board President Greta Ownby of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce welcomed new board members: Bruce Borchers with Oak Ridge Schools; consultant Steve Jones, president Steve Jones and Associates LLC; John Garrity with NSPS; David Mandl with Oak Ridge National Laboratory/UT-Battelle; and Mary Ann Condry with Orthopedic Surgeons of Oak Ridge. Also honored were outgoing board members, Jimmy Stone of ORNL/UT-Battelle, Mike Belbeck with Methodist Medical Center, and Mike Vermeulen with B&W Clinch River. Financial and fund distribution reports were given by Mike Twine of G2 Engineering and Eric Abelquist of Oak Ridge Associated Universities, respectively.

This year’s UWAC Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Edwena Crowe who not only served as Campaign Chair with her family, but has been a UWAC board member, executive committee member at large, and a fund distribution volunteer.

Outgoing Campaign Chair Charles Crowe spoke on behalf of his family, who served as the first ever “campaign family” for UWAC, with his wife Edwena Crowe and children Nicholas and Rebecca. He recognized local Top 10 businesses for running exemplary campaigns, including a 125 percent increase from ORNL Federal Credit Union:

• UT-Battelle/ORNL—$271,437
• B&W Y-12—$203,021
• Oak Ridge Associated Universities—$101,297
• ORNL Federal Credit Union—$65,926
• American Centrifuge Manufacturing LLC—$48,581
• AMETEK Inc.—$35,827
• UCOR—$33,775
• Bechtel National Inc.—$21,000
• Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge—$18,246
• USEC—$14,606

Guests at Thursday’s meeting, which also include a continental breakfast and networking, were encouraged to see their money at work with an invitation to tour the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge, the press release said.

“The Children’s Museum was so generous to host us again this year,” said UWAC Resource Development Director Jennifer Pettyjohn. “This allows us to keep costs low and share all the great work and exhibits the Children’s Museum has to offer.”

Table centerpieces were adorned with impact statements from partner agencies and programs to help spread the word about the lasting changes the United Way agency programs are making in Anderson County and how efficiently thee allocations are leveraged and spent:

• “UWAC dollars allowed us to provide 389 bike helmets to children to prevent head injury, the number one cause of seizures.”—Epilepsy Foundation of East Tennessee
• “A $20 donation provides four crisis line callers with emotional support, information, and referral, or suicide triage.”—Contact Care line
• “100 percent volunteer-based Anderson County Rescue Squad-provided emergency services to 382 people in 2013.”
• “In Healthy Start’s 16-year history in Anderson County, with more than 300 families served, no child has been removed from the home of a family enrolled in the Healthy Start program for abuse.”

UWAC and its 35 community partners and their 50 vital programs address three core needs of the community: basic human needs, youth development, and allowing seniors to age in place with honor.

For more information, visit www.uwayac.org or call (865) 483-8431.