United Way Prepares Agencies for Shortfall - 03/20/09
United Way of the Virginia Peninsula’s 2008 fundraising campaign raised nearly $7 million, yet United Way officials today braced local agencies for a funding cut this summer.
Despite enthusiastic workplace campaigns and a strong showing in the Combined Federal Campaign, the 70 year-old charity raised 5.4% less than last year. The reduction is due to a loss of confidence in outstanding accounts, which includes monies still unreported from out of the area, from other United Ways, from national accounts, and a drop in leadership giving that often comes from gifts of appreciated stock.
Most significant, however, is the reduction in undesignated funds. This occurs when pledges are predominantly designated by donors to specific non-profits, many outside the local area. United Way volunteers allocate the remaining undesignated money to local health and human service agencies meeting critical community needs. A highly-designated campaign means less money to allocate and when combined with the anticipation that some pledges may never be collected due to a lagging economy, Peninsula programs will ultimately feel the pinch.
“This is really not new,” said United Way President, Ty Joubert. “Since it was introduced in the early ‘90’s, the designation option, while popular with donors, has increasingly caused local agencies that meet basic needs to suffer. The criticaldifference this year is that, in a tough economy, more people on the Peninsula are going to need the programs funded by those undesignated donations—-and that money is just not there.”
United Way will experience internal adjustments to its operating budget, and partner agency programs affected by the shortfall will include everything from food, shelter, and child care programs, to services for the elderly and disabled. “These are the programs funded with what we call “Community Care” donations,” Joubert said. “The basic services we just assume will always be there when we need them are the ones most affected.”
United Way staff and volunteer leaders met earlier this week to determine the best way to prepare for the anticipated deficit and local agencies were immediately informed. Programs are funded on a two-year basis and the shortfall is coming in the second year of the current funding cycle. Adjustments in payments to agencies will be made beginning July 1st.
United Way Recognizes 2008 Campaign Achievement - 02/14/09
United Way of the Virginia Peninsula honored campaign volunteers and local organizations at its annual recognition event, held February 12th at the City Center Marriott in Newport News.
Jerome Clark, 2008 United Way Campaign Chairman, announced that more than $7.3 million had been raised this year through the annual community campaign and the Combined Federal Campaign.
Louis Morris of Old Point National Bank was honored for his role in chairing the 2008 Loaned Executive Program and loaned executives Bobby Dunston, Jackie Dowdy, and Taylor Rew were also honored for their assistance in conducting campaigns throughout the Peninsula.
Loaned Executive sponsoring organizations recognized were: Riverside Health System, Mary Immaculate Hospital, Sentara Health Care, Ferguson Enterprises, Northrop Grumman Newport News, and Community Health Charities of Virginia.
Digby Solomon, President and Publisher of The Daily Press accepted the Media Award for providing pro bono advertising support; and the employees of Northrop Grumman Newport News were honored with the Community Cares Award for contributing the most undesignated money to United Way.
United Way’s Campaign of the Year Awards recognize outstanding performance in all aspects of United Way involvement and this year’s winners included: Witt Mares; Western Refinery Yorktown; and Langley Federal Credit Union.
Announcement was made that William Downey of Riverside Health System has been tapped to serve as Chairman of the 2009 United Way Campaign.
Downey to Spearhead 2009 United Way Campaign - 02/13/09
William B. Downey of Riverside Health System will serve as chairman of the 2009 United Way Campaign. Announcement of the campaign chairmanship was made at the organization’s 69th Annual Meeting and Campaign Recognition Event on February 12th at the Newport News Marriott at City Center. Downey has been a long-time volunteer for United Way, having served as chairman of the Board of Directors, as well as in various capacities on the Campaign Cabinet over the past 10 years.
Directors and Officers Elected at 2008 Annual Meeting - 02/12/09
United Way of the Virginia Peninsula held its 69th Annual Meeting and Campaign Recognition Event on February 12th at the City Center Marriott in Newport News. The gathering called together members to elect directors and officers, and honored the volunteers and organizations that helped to make the 2008 United Way community campaign successful.
Elected directors and officers include: William Ermatinger, Chairman - Northrop Grumman Newport News; Dr. A. Terry Morris, Vice-Chairman - NASA/Langley Research Center; Jimmy Haggard, Treasurer - Goodman & Company; Dr. Ashby Kilgore - Newport News Public Schools; Patricia Robertson - Mary Immaculate Hospital; John Garrett; Elizabeth McCormick - Philips Energy; Robert Hatten - Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein; Kevin Murphy - Ferguson Enterprises; Dr. Patrick Russo - Hampton Public Schools; Cathy Williams - Ferguson Enterprises.
Retiring Board member John Race was honored for his service on the board of directors for the past three years.
United Way of America Responds to California Wildfires - 10/26/07
(ALEXANDRA) Brian Gallagher, President of United Way of America, today released the following statement regarding the organization's response to the devastating wildfires in Southern California.
The staff, volunteers and donors throughout the United Way system are deeply concerned about the welfare of all the people and communities affected by the ongoing wildfires raging in Southern California.United Ways across Southern California have launched a united regional fund to help the affected communities recover from the devastating wildfires that struck the area. The United Way Southern California Wildfires Recovery Fund will:(1) Fulfill unmet needs of the affected individuals and families, which could include counseling, medical services, vouchers for rent, utility assistance, or other services. A committee of volunteers will be organized to distribute the funds. (2) Support community-wide, long term recovery. United Ways will activate local volunteer committees of community leaders to review applications from support agencies and develop strategies to address the long term needs of the communities affected.Community partnerships will be critical to the long term recovery efforts. United Way is a member of both the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN), formed to coordinate relief efforts in the wake of natural disasters, and the Major Relief Agency Consortium (M-RAC) co-chaired by America Red Cross and UWA. Within this network, the initial response to disasters is led by the American Red Cross while United Way takes the lead in long term recovery. Red Cross and United Way are joined by partners such as Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), Salvation Army, AIRS, FEMA and many others in this critical work. United Way of America will stand by the local United Ways in the affected Southern California counties for the duration of the long term recovery. Working together, we will be here as long as it takes to rebuild the lives, homes and communities of people who have lost so much in this tragedy.
Hornsby Receives United Way 2007 Community Service Award - 10/05/07
(NEWPORT NEWS) Claude 'Chip' Hornsby, Group Chief Executive of Wolseley, has received the 2007 United Way Community Service Award. The award was presented at a gathering of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Hatten at their Gloucester home. The Tocqueville Society consists of United Way's top leadership donors. Mr. Hatten serves as Chairman of the 2007 United Way Campaign.
The Community Service Award is presented to a community leader who passionately and willfully supports efforts to address our community's most pressing needs. In describing Mr. Hornsby's selection for this year's honor, United Way President Ty Joubert said, 'We are very fortunate to live and work in a community where so many give so much to help people in need. Chip is the consummate volunteer and is very deserving of this recognition. We are pleased to acknowledge him for the multiple contributions he has made in helping us build a better community.'
United Way of America Honors Local President - 05/17/07
(PITTSBURGH) United Way of America—the nation’s largest charity—recognized Ty
Joubert, President of United Way of the Virginia Peninsula or more than 30 years of service as a United Way professional. Mr. Joubert was one of 88 professionals honored at the 2007 United Way of America Staff Leaders Conference last week in Pittsburgh, PA. The 30-Year Service Award was established by United Way of America to recognize the achievements and commitment of individuals who have dedicated their careers to serving the community through United Way.
I’m pleased to recognize and celebrate Ty for his many years of dedicated service to the United Way system,” said Brian Gallagher, President of United Way of America. “Our core mission has always been to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. Ty has been a leader in achieving that mission and on behalf of United Way of America and the entire United Way system, we thank him.”
A graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta,
Mr. Joubert began his United Way career in Houston in 1973. His professional advancement has also taken him to United Way of San Diego County, California, United Way of the Bay Area in San Francisco, and United Way of Pioneer Valley in Springfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Joubert has served as President of United Way of the Virginia Peninsula since 2002.
Active in a variety of community and national activities, Mr. Joubert serves on the board of Riverside Behavioral Health Center, Newport News Educational Foundation, and the Virginia Conference for Community and Justice. He is a member of the National Professional’s Council of United Way of America and is a past
recipient of the Urban League’s Community Builder Award.
New Members Join United Way Team - 03/15/07
United Way of the Virginia Peninsula today announced the addition of Matt Johnson and Sue Ducibella to the United Way staff. Sue and Matt will serve as Associate Campaign Directors and will assist the in-house coordinators at local companies in conducting their United Way workplace campaigns.
United Way Recognizes Campaign Achievement - 02/21/07
Robert R. Hatten, 2007 United Way Campaign Chairman, was among those honored at United Way’s 68th Annual Meeting and Campaign Recognition Event on February 21st at the Newport News Marriott at City Center. Mr. Hatten, of the law firm Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein, recognized local organizations and volunteers for their efforts in helping to raise more than $7.4 million through this year’s campaign
Louis Morris of Old Point National Bank was honored for his role in chairing the Loaned Executive Program for the 2007 Campaign. Also recognized were this year’s Loaned Executives, Tim Lauth of Northrop Grumman Newport News, Grace Rutledge, and Robyn Brownell. The following Loaned Executive sponsoring organizations were also honored: Riverside Health System, Mary Immaculate Hospital, Sentara Health Care, Ferguson Enterprises, Towne Bank, Northrop Grumman Newport News, and Community Health Charities of Virginia.
Three awards were presented in multiple categories for outstanding campaign achievements. The honorees were as follows:
Most Leadership Donors: Witt Mares; Dominion Terminal Associates; and Northrop Grumman Newport News.
Highest Per Capita Giving: Alan Atlshculter, CPA; Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein; and Ferguson Enterprises.
Outstanding Student Campaigns: Hampton City Schools and Newport News Public Schools
Highest Campaign Participation: Southern Air, Inc.; Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein; and Langley Federal Credit Union.
Outstanding Corporate Campaign Support: Rock Solid Janitorial Serivce; Virginia Natural Gas; Northrop Grumman Newport News; and Western Refining Yorktown.
The Daily Press was presented with a special Media Award for their pro bono advertising support; and Northrop Grumman Newport News was honored with the Community Cares Award for contributing the most undesignated money to United Way.
Honored for outstanding performance in all aspects of United Way involvement were recipients of United Way’s Campaign of the Year Awards: Carter Machinery Company;
Pomoco Auto Group; and the City of Newport News.
Announcement was made that Mr. Jerome “Jerry” Clark, President of Suntrust Bank has been tapped to serve as Chairman of the 2008 United Way Campaign.
As the event concluded, a special presentation was made to Robert R. Hatten by newly-elected United Way Board Chairman, William Ermatinger of Northrop Grumman Newport News. Mr. Hatten was honored for his campaign leadership, contagious community spirit and dedicated service to the campaign and community.
United Way Elects New Board Members - 02/16/07
United Way of the Virginia Peninsula today announced the addition of two new members to its Board of Directors. Dr. Patrick Russo, Superintendent of the City of Hampton Public Schools and Michele Woods Jones, a consultant with leAun Consulting Services were elected to the Board at its Annual Meeting and Campaign Recognition Event, held February 15th at the Newport News Marriott at City Center in Oyster Point. The event also honored out-going Board member, Anna Van Buren McNider for her six years of service to United Way.
