The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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November 13, 2009

United Way fundraising campaign surpasses goal, tops $730,000

By Kasey Fowler, Staff Writer

Thundering applause filled the room Friday as the United Way campaign chairwoman announced the organization exceeded it’s 2009 fund-raising goal.

“This campaign is just another way to show how Enid and northwest Okla-homa truly do live united,” said Cheryl Evans, United Way of Enid and Northwest Oklahoma campaign chair, at the final report luncheon.

Evans and United Way board president April Danahy revealed a poster showing those gathered, as of Thursday afternoon, United Way had reached 100.6 percent of the campaign’s $730,000 goal.

“We actually have more money than this because more is coming every day,” said Evans, after announcing the 100.6 percent figure.

During the luncheon, volunteers and donors were recognized and honored.

“We had three Pace-setters this year: Parrish Enterprises, with Amy Parrish serving as their campaign coordinator; Advance Foods was lead by campaign coordinator Nancy Sheid; and Continental Resources, with Jennifer Dehaas serving as campaign coordinator. As a group, these three raised more money than any Pacesetters before,” Evans said.

The Pillars Club, made up of larger individual donors, raised more than $130,000 this year to begin the campaign.

Loaned executives and division chairs were honored. Loan executives were Shaye Langley, Alpha Counseling & Assessment; Becky Bules, Security National Bank; Brenda Rogers, Paul Transport; Cindy Griesel, Rose Rock Bank; Jessica Andrews, KOFM/KGWA; Kay Farrell and Cindy Earl. Division chairs were Randy Waters and Jon Blankenship.

“We have two major fundraisers. One is golf and we also have the big chili event,” Evans said.

The golf committee was chaired by Dana and Barry McDaniel. The chili committee was chaired by Kathleen Long.

The golf event was sponsored by Integris Bass Baptist Health Center and had 100 players with 38 teams. The event raised more than $9,500.

The chili event had 40 chili cooks and more than $14,000 was raised.

The largest percent of the campaign is raised by the employee campaigns. They generate about 55 percent of the entire campaign goal.

“I am proud to announce 64 percent of the employee campaigns brought in more this year than last year,” Evans said. “Even in the non-profit sector, among our partner agencies we experienced some growth. Youth and Family Services doubled their giving from last year.”

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