United Way Campaign Raises over $22 Million!

Local donors continue to give generously

Central Oklahomans have once again proven their dedication to improving our community by giving generously to United Way of Central Oklahoma. 2013 Campaign Co-Chairs Bruce and Donna Lawrence announced the fundraising total of $22,067,626 at United Way of Central Oklahoma’s 12th Annual Snowflake Gala on Friday evening. The announcement brought the crowd to their feet.
“Year after year, thousands of generous donors have responded to the needs of our community through their financial support of the central Oklahoma fundraising campaign,” Bruce Lawrence states.

As part of the central Oklahoma campaign, United Way of Central Oklahoma administers three federated campaigns and two United Way campaigns to reach the $22 million goal. The Combined Federal Campaign raised $2,393,848; the State Charitable Campaign raised $472,070; the Heart of the City Campaign raised $586,581; and the United Way of Canadian County and United Way of Logan County together raised $374,544.

“Individual Contributions to the United Way of Central Oklahoma campaign allow hundreds of programs to impact the lives of thousands of central Oklahomans,” states Donna Lawrence. “Chances are, we all know at least one person who has been impacted by one or more of these programs supported by the United Way campaign.”

Dollars raised through the United Way of Central Oklahoma campaign will support 126 programs administered by a network of 60 local Partner Agencies meeting the needs of thousands of central Oklahomans each year.  All programs are reviewed annually by donor volunteers to ensure contributions are properly invested with the highest level of accountability.

The Volunteer Reception and the annual Snowflake Gala was also the setting for United Way of Central Oklahoma presenting four outstanding volunteers with awards for their service to the community. Martha Lippert received the Richard H. Clements Lifetime Achievement Award and Steve Eddy, City Manager of Moore, Oklahoma, was honored with the John Rex Community Builder Award.   Kris Rogers of Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores, and James Bertsch of Bank of Oklahoma, each were presented with the Ray Ackerman Leadership Award.

United Way Board Chairman David Thompson served as the master of ceremonies for both events and the featured entertainment was the Edmond North Orchestra String Quartet. The Snowflake Gala program began with an overview of the year by Thompson, including United Way’s role in the recovery efforts of the May disaster. A special video was viewed in appreciation to those who donated their time and monies to the disaster relief efforts and helped impacted communities onto a path of recovery.

“We are grateful to the thousands of donors who continue to support United Way, the Combined Federal Campaign, the State Charitable Campaign, and the Heart of the City Campaign.  Our most vulnerable citizens depend upon them every day to receive the social services administered by United Partner Agencies,” states United Way of Central Oklahoma’s President and CEO Debby Hampton. “When donors give to the annual campaign, it positions our Partner Agencies ready to respond when disaster strikes – we just can’t thank them enough for their support!”

About United Way of Central Oklahoma
United Way of Central Oklahoma researches human needs within the communities of central Oklahoma and directs resources to accountable health and human services agencies to meet those needs by improving the health, safety, education and economic well-being of its most vulnerable citizens. For more information about United Way of Central Oklahoma, please visit www.unitedwayokc.org or call (405) 236-8441.