Improving lives and changing community conditions took center stage today during Valley of the Sun United Way’s (VSUW) LIVE UNITED event.

Volunteers, donors, community partners and businesses were honored for their outstanding support of United Way’s work and that of its nonprofit partners who share its goals of ending hunger and homelessness; ensuring that children and youth succeed; and increasing the financial stability of individuals and families in Maricopa County.

“At Valley of the Sun United Way, we believe that the true measure of a community is its ability and willingness to care for its most vulnerable members,” Valley of the Sun United Way President and CEO Merl Waschler said.  “The ongoing support of individuals and organizations speaks to a bold desire of building a stronger community for us all,” he added.

This year, VSUW announced its 2010 total revenue exceeded $75 million landing it as the six-largest United Way in the nation. A substantial piece of the revenue generated is a result of VSUW’s 2010 annual fundraising campaign which contributed $47.4 million toward this remarkable achievement.

The passion and desire to help one another - neighbors, coworkers and strangers alike – energized the room as the more than 700 community members in attendance got a glimpse into the life of the many individuals impacted as a result of the community’s collective action in support of VSUW, like:

• Gabe was chronically homeless for eight years but now has a place to live and is learning the skills he needs to become a contributing member of society.
  
• Juliana was a single mother of four who experienced significant life challenges. She was armed with the right knowledge and skills to build savings and purchase her first home.
  
• Kevin dropped out of high school and when provided the right support, he was able to graduate and plans to attend a four-year college.

As part of the celebration, several partners landed unique VSUW awards honoring their community commitment. Hope Levin, Arizona President for U.S. Bank and United Way Campaign Chair, presented VSUW’s 2011 Chairman’s Award to Bank of America and its employees. The Chairman’s Award is selected by the Campaign Chair and recognizes an organization for the success of its employee campaign, percent of revenue invested in the work of VSUW and success in mobilizing employee volunteers. Nearly 70 percent of Bank of America’s contributions totaling nearly $850,000 were invested in the work of VSUW and more than 61,000 volunteer hours were invested by its employees at local nonprofits and schools across the Valley in 2010.

“Bank of America’s leadership team and employees consistently help us improve conditions throughout the community and we are truly fortunate to have them as our partner in changing lives,” Levin said.

A series of unique awards were also presented to several organizations in recognition for their unwavering commitment to VSUW: 

• Vanguard, Spirit of Caring Award
• Intel Corporation, Trailblazer Award
• Arizona Diamondbacks and Helios Education Foundation, Dynamic Partnership Award
• Medtronic Microelectrics Center, Community Impact Award
• Sustaining Supporter Award, Edward Jones Investments
• Association for Supportive Child Care, Outstanding Partner Award

Vanguard was presented the Spirit of Caring Award for pushing the boundaries of community involvement, their sustained support for health and human services, increased campaign results, increased support for the work of VSUW and strong volunteer engagement. Vanguard’s campaign was up 12 percent from the 2009 Campaign and loaned VSUW four Vanguard employees to work as Loaned Executives in support of the annual fundraising drive and several employees continue to serve in leadership roles on volunteer committees.

Intel Corporation and its employees landed the Trailblazer Award honoring Intel’s legacy of continuously raising the standard of community involvement and philanthropic investment. In the last 10 years, Intel and its employees have raised more than $50 million for United Way to benefit the local community. Intel’s leadership established the prestigious $3 million, $4 million, $5 million, $6 million and broke new ground once again – establishing the $7 million club this year – and creating a new milestone in VSUW’s 85-year history.

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Helios Education Foundation were honored with the Dynamic Partnership Award. The D-backs and Helios Education Foundation partnered to provide $100,000 toward VSUW’s work in Ensuring Children and Youth Succeed through the “Shirts off our D-backs” fundraising event. Their investment provided school readiness kits for young children and their parents, arming them with tools and resources to prepare their child for school success. 

Medtronic was awarded the Community Impact Award for its outstanding support and investment of 85 percent of its total campaign donations to support United Way’s work of ending hunger and homelessness; ensuring that children and youth succeed; and increasing the financial stability of individuals and families.

Edward Jones Investments received the Sustaining Supporter Award to recognize that within the past five years their campaign increased more than 107 percent. At the same time, Edward Jones’ employees volunteer with VSUW year-round in key volunteer initiatives including the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Sites and regular participation in Generation United events.

The Association for Supportive Child Care (ASCC) was honored with the Outstanding Partner Award in recognition of their impressive campaign performance. As a health and human service agency, ASCC understands the critical importance of a strong health and human service network and invests a minimum of 70 percent of its total campaign in the work of VSUW. In 2010, ASCC’s overall campaign revenue increased by 24 percent.

Additionally, the following organizations were honored for their exceptional community spirit and commitment to the organization:

$3 MILLION DOLLAR CLUB

• APS/Pinnacle West

$1 MILLION DOLLAR CLUB

• Wells Fargo
  
• Maricopa County Combined Federal Campaign
  
• SRP
  
• City of Phoenix
  
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Inc.
  
• Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.
  
• Cox Communications Arizona
  
• PetSmart, Inc.

The LIVE UNITED event was made possible by the following Elite Sponsors: Cox Communications, University of Phoenix and US Airways.

About Valley of the Sun United Way:
Valley of the Sun United Way is working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health. Our goal is to create long-lasting and measurable changes that improve the quality of life for struggling individuals, families and children throughout Maricopa County. Visit www.vsuw.org to learn more.