Group gathers to serve 'United' 10/31/2009 12:31 AM By JEFF WALLACE Editor
No one person can accomplish something by himself. That statement proved itself many times over in the just-completed United Way of Aiken County campaign.
In this year's campaign, the people of Aiken County gave $2.7 million to help United Way agencies in our community provide services to individuals in need of human services. From Children's Place to the Cumbee Center, from Red Cross to Aiken Youth Empowerment, from the Aiken Center for Alcohol and Drug Services to ACTS, thousands of people in Aiken County receive services each year.
The work of some 34 agencies and initiatives would be cut dramatically without the generous donations of people like you who gave from the heart to improve the lives of friends, neighbors and total strangers.
This year I was humbled to be invited to chair the campaign. Chairing the United Way campaign is not a hard job if you have some of the most wonderful people in Aiken County on your campaign cabinet, if you have a fantastic staff of United Way workers, if you have dedicated loaned professionals who throw themselves at this 10-week challenge and if you have a community filled with generous individuals, businesses and industries.
We had that and more this year.
Allow me a few lines of type to thank some of these people who did the hard work to make this goal a reality. Just as the final numbers were above and beyond the goal that was set out at the beginning of the campaign ($2.45 million), these folks went above and beyond at a time of economic difficulty. With the results they achieved, one would never think that the economy was a problem in Aiken County. We all know differently.
Barbara Smoak served as first vice chair of the campaign. Her capable hands will guide the campaign next year.
Liz Stewart served in two capacities this year. She was second vice chair of the campaign and also the Individual Gifts chair. Her calm determination and organizational skills were exceptional, and although she had more than enough for two or three people on her personal plate, she came through with outstanding results. The next two years, the campaign leadership will be simply amazing.
Teresa Haas and her team started early in the summer with their Corporate Division campaign. They worked diligently into the fall with our local companies, constantly following up with these donors until the last figures were in.
Dan Lambert led the SRS campaign. In spite of organizational changes at the Site, Dan and his team did an inspired job to top their goal.
In addition to providing a generous amount to the United Way of Aiken County campaign, SRS gave funds to many other United Way organizations in nearby South Carolina and Georgia counties.
LaMesha Pressley, a loaned professional a year ago, headed up the Industrial Division. She worked with our LP's to guide them. Her boundless energy and constant smile enabled that division to succeed.
Mary Calabro and Lynnda Bassham joined to lead the Government Division. As you can imagine with budget cuts and diminished staffs, they had a difficult job. They maintained their enthusiasm and can-do attitude throughout.
Richard Pearce of the City of Aiken, Todd Glover of Aiken County and Mendee DeMine of the City of North Augusta all provided interesting and unique involvement for the employees in their areas.
Ellen Luton, always with a smile on her face, guided the Community Businesses Division. The mom of three lovely little children, Ellen and her team came up with new ways to pursue this part of the campaign and were highly successful in getting the most for the energy expended.
With its new model to grown on, Community Businesses Division will be even more successful in coming campaigns.
Rosie Berry was the Education Division leader. Local schools faced smaller staffs and lower pay because of furloughs. In spite of that, Rosie championed the United Way cause to schools throughout the county. She was assisted by Dawn Butts, who headed the Aiken Technical College campaign, and Heidi DiFranco, who guided the USC Aiken campaign.
Ronnie Maxwell chaired the Professional Division for the second straight year. He developed a hard-working team that reached its goal and beyond. Ronnie was steadfast in his approach to the campaign.
All of these folks gave of their time in spite of incredibly busy professional and personal lives. I am indebted to them for their efforts. United Way agencies and clients are indebted to them for their great success.
Loaned professionals are the backbone of the United Way campaign. They have been put on loan to United Way by their regular employers. For 10 weeks, they are paid by their employers but work for United Way. Cathy Patterson of WSI, Rebekah Floyd of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, Wesley Hightower of Savannah River Remediation and Brandon Gary of Security Federal Bank put their souls into this job.
Finally there is a United Way professional staff that needs mention. President Sharon Rodgers heads up a small-in-numbers, large-in-heart staff. Sonita Redmond is director of resource development, Candis Moyer is director of marketing, Debra Bishop is office manager and Carla Caldwell is director of Project VISION.
A strong staff, highly energized loaned professionals, wonderful campaign cabinet and all the people who donated to this campaign are responsible for the success that was achieved. They did it the right way - the United Way.
Jeff Wallace is editor of the Aiken Standard.
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