2009 Workforce Fundraising Campaign hits $47.3 million

Valley of the Sun United Way recently honored Valley individuals, organizations and companies during its LIVE UNITED event to celebrate the success of the 2009 fundraising campaign which raised $47.3 million to meet community needs – surpassing the goal it set last fall.

At the campaign celebration event, Arizona Diamondbacks President and CEO and 2009 United Way Campaign Chairman Derrick Hall, presented Intel Corporation with the Chairman’s Award in recognition of its outstanding support of Valley of the Sun United Way.  The Chairman’s Award winner is selected by the Campaign Chairman and recognizes an organization for the overall success of the employee campaign, percentage of dollars raised to support the work of Valley of the Sun United Way and its ability to mobilize employees to volunteer. In addition, Intel was honored for its trailblazing campaign efforts, raising more than $6.6 million dollars and surpassing the $6 million mark for the second consecutive year – proudly representing Valley of the Sun United Way’s 6 Million Dollar Club.

VSUW President and CEO Merl Waschler presented PetSmart with the Spirit of Caring Award which recognizes an organization for its positive impact on the community through its sustained community involvement, continued support for health and human services, strong volunteer engagement, an increase in campaign results and is support for the work of Valley of the Sun United Way.

A number of other key awards were handed out and a variety of workplace campaigns were recognized for surpassing the $1 million mark. Wells Fargo was one of those companies, having contributed over $1.75 million to the VSUW campaign in 2009. Wells Fargo was also just honored for having the largest employee campaign in the U.S., based on recently finalized 2009 campaign results. Wells Fargo team members pledged a record $41.9 million through their annual Community Support and United Way Campaign—a 21% increase over the 2008 combined Wells Fargo and Wachovia campaigns. Combined with corporate gifts, this totaled more than $60 million.

Other Key Award Recipients:

USAA, Community Impact Award
PCL Construction, Sustaining Supporter Award
Snell & Wilmer, LLP, Tocqueville Campaign Excellence Award
General Dynamics, Leadership Giving Award
Central Arizona Shelter Services, Outstanding Agency Award
Crafco and Ergon, Dynamic Partnership Award
Thornwood Furniture, In-Kind Giving Award
Dan Lawler, Alzheimer's Assc Desert SW Chapter, Speaker Appreciation Award

Million Dollar Club Members

$3 MILLION DOLLAR CLUB

APS/Pinnacle West

$1 MILLION DOLLAR CLUB

SRP
Maricopa County Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)
City of Phoenix
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Inc.
General Dynamics
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.

The LIVE UNITED event was made possible by the following partners: Elite Sponsors – Cox Communications and the University of Phoenix; Champion Sponsors – AAA Arizona and US Airways; and Media Sponsors - ABC 15 and The Arizona Republic.