In another week, Rowan County United Way volunteers and supporters will wrap up this year’s capital fundraising campaign, but they continue to urge contributors to help.
Supporters attended the fourth campaign report meeting held Wednesday at Cloninger Ford, Toyota, Scion.
The campaign has reached $1.55 million, or 85 percent of its $1.8 million goal.
“We are nine days from our campaign finale, and that nine days includes one weekend and a holiday,” said campaign chairman Dr. Jim Duncan.
Duncan said 85 percent is a huge accomplishment, and he’s humbled by the many stories he’s heard during the campaign. He’s met many people who’ve pledged funds for the first time and heard from many who’ve increased their giving.
“These stories cover all classes and incomes of people,” he said.
The money raised through the campaign supports 15 United Way member agencies.
“There are still folks in the community that have been waiting for the right time to make their pledge,” Duncan said. “This is the time.”
He urged the community not to confuse the local United Way with agencies in other areas.
“Your local United Way agency is a model for being excellent stewards of your support dollars,” Duncan said.
He referenced Philippians 3:14, where the bible says to press toward the goal to win the prize.
Kirby Adcock provided the entertainment during the meeting, playing the guitar and singing “Hee Haw” songs. The theme for the campaign is “Raised Here, Stays Here,” and volunteers have been dressing in farm wear. Campaign supporters Brian Miller and Kevin Boyle have been a part of a skit reminiscent of the popular variety show.
Some meeting highlights include:
• Freightliner, which raised $255,038 with 300 fewer employees
• Shaver Wood Products, which raised $11,460, a 48 percent increase over last year.
• Gamewell Mechanical raised $3,046, which is a 250 percent increase
Students from Salisbury Academy and cheerleaders from Sacred Heart Catholic School attended. The cheerleaders performed a United Way cheer. Both schools have raised money for the campaign.
At the end of each meeting, three names are 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 this week were James “Buddy” Hampton of the Salisbury Police Department, April Kraus of the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center and CPA Dennis Issacson.
The 2013-2014 campaign totals thus far are:
• Presidents — $373,389.79 or 95.1 percent
• Chairmans — $266,877.20 or 89.8 percent
• Industrial 1 — $51,844.33 or 93.4 percent
• Industrial 2 — $56,605.20 or 92.8 percent
• Commercial 1 — $42,522.59 or 58.3 percent
• Commercial 2 — $101,536.27 or 109.8 percent
• Commercial 3 — $47,873.70 or 67 percent
• Public Employees — $134,487.53 or 98.4 percent
• Education — $166,991.99 or 89.9 percent
• Community Business — $7,147 or 89.3 percent
• Special Gifts — $151,123 or 97.5 percent
• UW Agencies — $31,273.68 or 107.6 percent
• Professionals — $60,357 or 74.2 percent
• Miscellaneous — $58,687.38 or 31.6 percent
• SWAT — $1,203
The finale will be held at noon Nov. 6 at the JF Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W. Jake Alexander Blvd. Anyone who would like to make a contribution can contact the Rowan County United Way at 704-633-1802, online via www.rcunitedway.org or a campaign committee member.