With 37 more days left in the Rowan County United Way campaign, supporters are determined to meet this year’s $1.825 million goal.
The campaign goal is nearly halfway there already with $850,241 — 46.6 percent — contributed so far.
“My prayer is that all of us can help make a positive difference in many lives in Rowan County and that I won’t have to go to a United Way agency and tell them we are unable to meet their request for assistance,” said Campaign Chair Dr. Jim Duncan.
Duncan spoke to a group of supporters during a campaign report meeting Wednesday at Gerry Wood Auto Group.
He said if just several people made a $10 per week pledge for next year, the campaign would be well on its way to meeting its goal.
Salisbury native Bobby Parnell, a pitcher with Major League Baseball’s New York Mets, was also in attendance.
Parnell’s father, Bob, is chief of the Salisbury Fire Department and simply asked his son if he could attend. Bobby said yes.
This year’s theme is “Raised Here. Stays Here.” During the meeting, members of the campaign cabinet donned “farm wear” with straw hats, boots and overalls.
The divisions reported the amount their campaigns have brought in and some supporters announced successful campaigns.
Some of the campaign successes include North Rowan Middle, where staff and students increased in giving; Rowan Vocational Opportunities, whose clients have contributed greatly to United Way; and first-timers Velazquez Produce Inc.
Pablo Velazquez, owner of Velazquez Produce, held a campaign at the company located in western Rowan County. He matched his employees’ giving and raised $1,886.
North Rowan Middle School staff and students contributed $5,100. That was an increase in giving of 59 percent over last year.
Assistant Principal Meredith Williams said some of the cafeteria employees canvassed their neighborhoods to raise money.
Wilson Cherry with Rowan Vocational Opportunities said clients host several fundraisers for the campaign, including an auction. The agency’s employees have donated various items to the auction, including NFL tickets, meals at local restaurants and attractions.
Cherry said Rowan Vocational Opportunities has raised $1,400 for the campaign so far.
Parnell, who is home now that the Mets’ season is done, commended the United Way for its campaign, saying the money raised goes to a great cause. When his father asked if he could attend a meeting, Parnell didn’t hesitate.
He said he’s all too familiar with what an organization can do with the money raised through United Way campaigns. Parnell noted fundraising efforts that have been able to help communities in New York recover after Hurricane Sandy.
“It’s a great cause,” he said of the United Way.
The United Way held a friendly competition between Livingstone and Catawba colleges to see which school could raise the most money for the campaign through text messages.
The winner of the contest was Catawba, but the giving is not over. There is still an opportunity to give via text message.
Anyone who would like to contribute $5 can call 704-633-1802 and in the message type #RCUway and follow the instructions.
At the end of each meeting, three names will be chosen from anyone who donates at least $52 to the campaign. The names are placed in a drawing of 12 finalists who will be in the running to win a car from one of four automotive dealers — Ben Mynatt Nissan, Gerry Wood Auto Group, Cloninger Ford, Toyota, Scion and Team Chevrolet. The three names chosen were Suzanne Burgess, assistant finance director for Rowan County; Danny Wright of Daimler Trucks North America; and Rick Dunlap, an assistant principal with Southeast Middle School.
The 2013-14 campaign totals thus far are:
• Presidents — $86,542.91 or 22 percent
• Chairmans — $74,807.14 or 25.2 percent
• Industrial 1 — $11,282.83 or 20.3 percent
• Industrial 2 — $38,575 or 63.2 percent
• Commercial 1 — $24,348.59 or 33.4 percent
• Commercial 2 — $82,805.72 or 89.6 percent
• Commercial 3 — $33,635.70 or 47 percent
• Public Employees — $114,231.40 or 83.6 percent
• Education — $154,906.29 or 83.4 percent
• Community Business — $2,417 or 30.2 percent
• Special Gifts — $91,509 or 59 percent
• UW Agencies — $30,549.68 or 105.1 percent
• Professionals — $44,602 or 54.8 percent
• Miscellaneous — $58,131.65 or 31.3 percent
• SWAT (new campaigns) — $1,886
The next report meeting will be held at noon Oct. 23 at Team Chevrolet.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253. Twitter: www.twitter.com/salpostpotts Facebook: www.facebook.com/Shavonne.SalisburyPost.