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PrintAnnual Community Celebration recognized corporate partners, volunteers.
The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties announced today that $3,202,233.13 was secured in pledges during the 2012 fundraising campaign - a record for the local non-profit. The announcement was made at the annual Community Celebration, which recognized the achievements of United Way corporate partners and volunteers for the 2012 year. The event was sponsored by Regions Bank, Nissan, Publix Super Markets Charities, Middle Tennessee Medical Center, Embassy Suites and Ben and Janice McCloud of Recognition Concepts.
The United Way also announced that $401,606 was saved by Rutherford and Cannon County residents through United Way’s partnership with the FamilyWize prescription discount program, $206,231 was invested in the community through the value of United Way volunteer hours, and $492,000 was saved by Rutherford and Cannon County residents through the VITA program, a volunteer income tax assistance program which is a partnership between Greenhouse Ministries and the local United Way. Combined with the efforts of the 2012 fundraising campaign, United Way made a total impact of $4,302,070.13 in Rutherford and Cannon Counties in 2012.
The Cannon County Committee surveyed the needs in Cannon County and built a bridge for the mission of United Way. These community leaders from Cannon County are key to advancing opportunities for all. Serving on the committee are Mindy Gunter, First Bank; Lois Larimer, Community Volunteer; Faye Northcutt-Knox, @HomeCare; Connie Rigsby, Cannon County Senior Center; Lisa Baird, Cannon County SAVE; and Heath Nokes, Cannon County 4-H.
Individuals recognized during the Community Celebration included this year’s Loaned Executives, which are employees from various companies that are loaned to United Way for assistance during the fundraising campaign while the employer continues to pay salary and expenses. The 2012 Loaned Executives were:
Part-Time Loaned Executives
Laura Bohling, Rutherford County Government
Mitch Federman, General Mills
Kirk Garrett, Regions Bank
Cheryl Hultman, Tennessee CASA Association
Matt Ledbetter, SunTrust Bank
Joi Sherrill, Keller Williams Realty
Full-Time Loaned Executive
Donna Riley, State Farm
Media partners, recognized for their contributions in marketing and communications pertaining to United Way over the past year, included:
Cannon Courier
WBRY Radio
The Daily News Journal
The Murfreesboro Post
WGNS Radio
Hob Nob
VIP Magazine
Murfreesboro Magazine
The top ten campaigns in order of total funds raised were also announced during the event, which included:
10. Middle Tennessee Medical Center - $40,855
9. Middle Tennessee State University. - $61,754
8. Bridgestone LaVergne Plant and the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund - $63,280
7. Ingram Content Group - $122,916
6. State Farm - $124,302
5. Nissan North America, Inc. - $155,674
4. Rutherford County Government and Schools - $200,889
3. Publix Super Markets and Publix Super Markets Charities - $318,059
2. Yates Services- $341,013
1. General Mills - $713,709
United Way also recognized the best overall campaigns in each category, which were determined on various factors such as percentage increase in employee giving, percentage increase in participation, volunteering with United Way, and conducting special events to benefit United Way. Those campaigns were:
Best Health Services Campaign
Middle Tennessee Medical Center
Best Industry Campaign
General Mills
Best Non-Profit Agency Campaign
Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce
Best Financial Services Campaign
Guaranty Trust
Best Insurance Services Campaign
State Farm
Best Retail and Small Business Campaign
Ford of Murfreesboro
Best Public Employee Campaign
Rutherford County Government
Best Utilities Campaign
Atmos Energy
Best Education Campaign
Rutherford County Schools
Best New Campaign
Embassy Suites Murfreesboro
Most Improved Campaign
First Community Mortgage
Best Special Event
United We Style presented by Tangerine Salon and Spa
Most Creative Campaign
Mahle
The school awards were as follows:
Best Elementary School Campaign
Barfield Elementary School
Best Middle School Campaign
Christiana Middle School
Best High School Campaign
Blackman High School
Additional individuals recognized during the Community Celebration were the Campaign Cabinet, which plays a key role in the overall planning and implementation of the United Way campaign. Phil Holt served as this year’s campaign chair, and Campaign Cabinet members included:
Jim Thompson
John Leonard
Ross Womack
Brian Sullivan
Jeff Puster
Charlie Myatt
Faye Northcutt-Knox
BobbiKay Hein
Joey Monteleone
Steve Sax
Steve Steele
Andy Womack
Terry Cunningham
James Evans
Dr. Liz Rhea
Bryan Nale
The Best Overall Campaign award recipient was Publix Super Markets and Publix Super Markets Charities.George Jenkins founded Pubilx Super Markets with the spirit of giving in mind. He was once asked, "If you hadn't given away so much, how much do you think you would be worth today?" His response, without hesitation: "Probably nothing." In 2012, Publix Super Markets raised $27.9 million for United Way. When matched with $20.9 million from their corporate charity, the total contribution was over $48.8 million in five Southeastern states.
Following the Community Celebration, Toot’s Restaurant will host its third annual 3 Point Play meet and greet with the MTSU Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams on February 26 from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM at Toot’s at 860 NW Broad Street. A silent auction will be held to benefit United Way.
For more information, visit www.uwrutherford.org.
