United Way drive exceeds 2010 goal
BY MIKE AVERILL World Staff Writer
Friday, November 12, 2010
11/12/10 at 5:20 AM
The Tulsa Area United Way not only met its goal for the 2010 fundraising campaign, it surpassed it.
A projected $24,324,803 was raised to be distributed among the United Way's 61 partner agencies. That amount is $257,252 more than the $24,067,551 goal.
"So many thousands of people in the Tulsa area have once again shown their generosity and giving spirits," said Dan Ellinor, 2010 campaign chairman and senior executive vice president of Bank of Oklahoma.
"As our local economy continued to recover economically, we knew that our 61 partner agencies were still experiencing an increase in demand for the critical services they provide. Now with the incredibly hard work of this remarkable campaign team, we have not only met our original goal; we exceeded it, which is fabulous support for our agencies."
The agency announced the results of its fundraising campaign with its Unite! 2010 celebration at the Crowne Plaza hotel Thursday evening.
Mark Graham, president and CEO of the Tulsa Area United Way, thanked the organization's 61 partner agencies for the work they do.
"These are the folks out in the trenches who roll up their sleeves, working against incredible odds, dealing with increased client needs and revenues that are static or declining," he said. "They never give up hope."
New to this year's campaign was a series of matching challenge grants pledged up front to provide individuals and small businesses the opportunity to have their investments matched dollar for dollar.
"Because of the amazing spirit of philanthropy and altruism in this community, we were able to blast through the finish line of the second highest goal set in the history of the Tulsa Area United Way," Graham said.
"I am humbled by the immense heart of this community. Every individual and every company that has been a part of this campaign can take great pride in the positive difference they are making in people's lives."
In the last 86 years the Tulsa Area United Way has invested more than $568 million in the Tulsa area, helping provide critical health and human services to the community.
The agency provides services to more than 726,000 people each year through its 61 partner agencies in Tulsa, Creek, Okmulgee, Osage, Rogers and Wagoner counties.
The projected dollar amount announced Thursday night includes projections on campaigns that are still in progress and need to finish successfully in order to complete the campaign.
Pledges still accepted
The Tulsa Area United Way will continue to accept pledges through the rest of the year. Pledges can be made by calling 583-7171 or going online to tulsaworld.com/tauw
Original Print Headline: United Way tops goal by $257,000
Mike Averill 581-8489
mike.averill@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
This year's total for the Tulsa Area United Way fund drive is unveiled Thursday evening with the help of a Tulsa Fire Department ladder truck outside the Crown Plaza hotel in downtown Tulsa. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
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