The United Way of St. Charles completed another successful annual campaign, raising $2,378,034.35 thanks to the help of local industry and businesses, and the support of the community.
95 percent of that money will go back into the community and the total represents an increase over the 2006-07 year.
“I can only characterize the 2007/2008 campaign year as extraordinary,” Denise Brodsky, executive director of United Way of St. Charles, said. “Your United Way of St. Charles not only surpassed its total fundraising over this time last year, we completely transformed ourselves from what used to be a fundraising and funding organization to one that is totally committed to changing community conditions affecting each and every one of us.”
The UWSC Spirit Award went to Valero for contributing $799,814.29. Valero, along with Shell/Motiva, Entergy/Waterford III and Monsanto were also given the Good Neighbor Award, which recognizes the sites with the most employees giving $500 or more. Valero had 363 such employees, Shell/Motiva had 82, Entergy/Waterford III had 67 and Monsanto had 59.
Valero, Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Entergy/Waterford III and Shell/Motiva also received the Corporate Leadership Award, which is given to companies that make the greatest corporate gift per employee. Valero contributed $453.63 per employee, while Hexion gave $280.55 per employee.
Entergy/Waterford III and Shell/Motiva gave $231.93 and $132.09, respectively.
In the non-industry category, St. Charles Hospital, the St. Charles School Board Central Office, Lakewood Elementary and the Satellite Center were all given the Community Leadership Award for having the highest employee per capita giving. St. Charles Hospital gave $308.46 per employee, while the school board’s central office gave $215.75 per employee. Lakewood and the Satellite Center finished with $183.20 and $181.96, respectively.
In that same category, the Campaign Achievement Award was led by Eual J. Landry Alternative School, which gave 55.1 percent more to the UWSC this year than last year. R.K. Smith Middle School had a 48.7 percent increase, while Ethel Schoeffner Elementary School stretched their donations by 35.9 percent. Norco Elementary School was also recognized for increasing their donations by 25.7 percent.
In the industry category of the same award, Occidental Chemical Corporation increased their contributions by 21.3 percent and Dupont Elastomers’ donations jumped by 20.2 percent. Zachary Construction Corporation and Shell/Motiva also increased their donations by 16.7 percent and 14.1 percent, respectively.
Two companies, WINK Companies LLC. and Atmos Energy, were also honored with the Newcomer’s Award, which recognizes those who conducted a campaign for the first time.
Motiva’s Anne-Marie Ainsworth served as chairman of this year’s campaign and Dow’s Sarah Thigpen was co-chair.
“Their leadership, dedication and commitment to the success of this year’s campaign cannot be overstated,” UWSC President Mark Keiser said.
The end of the year celebration served as an emotional one for Brodsky, who has resigned from the UWSC to pursue other opportunities in Kentucky.
“I am proud of our accomplishments over the past three years,” Brodsky said. “I am proud of our board of directors and staff, I am proud of our many volunteers, I am proud of the people in St. Charles Parish and I am proud to have served as your executive director.”
“I will sorely miss each of you.”
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