On the Net
To learn more about the United Way of Forsyth County and how to support the organization, visit www.unitedwayforsyth.com.
To learn more about the United Way of Forsyth County and how to support the organization, visit www.unitedwayforsyth.com.
The successes of the United Way of Forsyth County over the past year were highlighted during the organization’s annual celebration breakfast Thursday.
Kathy Jolly, a member of the board of directors, welcomed about 100 guests to the event at Windermere Golf Club.
“We had a fabulous year despite a tough [financial] climate,” Jolly said.
Among the highlights of the year were a successful fundraising campaign and numerous community outreach programs.
Ruth Goode, executive director, said this year’s campaign pledges surpassed the fundraising goal by nearly 3 percent.
She said the organization secured about $1.38 million in pledges from area businesses and residents. The goal was $1.35 million.
The successful campaign was a boon since last year’s campaign fell about 13 percent shy of the goal of more than $1.6 million, due largely to the down economy.
Goode said this year some 5,100 donors contributed to the fundraising efforts.
“The size of many of our pledges went down, but our number of donors increased,” Goode said.
UPS was the top contributor, raising more than $315,000, followed by Publix, which collected more than $290,000.
The Forsyth County school system was the third largest contributor, making up 5 percent of the total campaign, Goode said. School system employees contributed more than $76,000.
Northside Hospital-Forsyth was honored as the third highest contributor at $54,000.
The remaining top 10 fundraisers included Kroger, AT&T, New York Life Insurance, Tyson Foods, Bank of America and IBM.
Bill Norman of Norman’s Landing “continued to shine the brightest” among small businesses, Goode said.
The restaurant was for the 14th year in a row the top contributor in that category. During that time, the eatery has contributed more than $350,000 to United Way through fundraisers such as its annual golf tournament on May 17.
Among the United Way’s many community outreach programs were virtual education courses for high school students at risk of not graduating on time and free dental care for children in need.
In addition, the organization provides transportation to jobs for recent special education graduates and a prescription card program for families without health insurance.
The United Way and its 15 partner agencies also gave tens of thousands of dollars for basic needs such as housing, food and utility costs.
But none of the efforts would be possible without the support of the community, Goode said.
“We thank all of you in the community who have given so graciously,” she said. “It all benefits folks around us.”
Kathy Jolly, a member of the board of directors, welcomed about 100 guests to the event at Windermere Golf Club.
“We had a fabulous year despite a tough [financial] climate,” Jolly said.
Among the highlights of the year were a successful fundraising campaign and numerous community outreach programs.
Ruth Goode, executive director, said this year’s campaign pledges surpassed the fundraising goal by nearly 3 percent.
She said the organization secured about $1.38 million in pledges from area businesses and residents. The goal was $1.35 million.
The successful campaign was a boon since last year’s campaign fell about 13 percent shy of the goal of more than $1.6 million, due largely to the down economy.
Goode said this year some 5,100 donors contributed to the fundraising efforts.
“The size of many of our pledges went down, but our number of donors increased,” Goode said.
UPS was the top contributor, raising more than $315,000, followed by Publix, which collected more than $290,000.
The Forsyth County school system was the third largest contributor, making up 5 percent of the total campaign, Goode said. School system employees contributed more than $76,000.
Northside Hospital-Forsyth was honored as the third highest contributor at $54,000.
The remaining top 10 fundraisers included Kroger, AT&T, New York Life Insurance, Tyson Foods, Bank of America and IBM.
Bill Norman of Norman’s Landing “continued to shine the brightest” among small businesses, Goode said.
The restaurant was for the 14th year in a row the top contributor in that category. During that time, the eatery has contributed more than $350,000 to United Way through fundraisers such as its annual golf tournament on May 17.
Among the United Way’s many community outreach programs were virtual education courses for high school students at risk of not graduating on time and free dental care for children in need.
In addition, the organization provides transportation to jobs for recent special education graduates and a prescription card program for families without health insurance.
The United Way and its 15 partner agencies also gave tens of thousands of dollars for basic needs such as housing, food and utility costs.
But none of the efforts would be possible without the support of the community, Goode said.
“We thank all of you in the community who have given so graciously,” she said. “It all benefits folks around us.”