The Nacogdoches County United Way 2010 "Live United" campaign is still in full force, as loaned executives, board members and agency directors continue to draw in new businesses to participate, according to executive director Gary Lee Ashcraft.
"I had hoped to wrap up in October, but we found that we had so many new companies joining the campaign that we needed to extend it to give everyone the opportunity to participate," he said.
Ashcraft estimated as many as 15 new businesses have joined the campaign this year, mainly due to the loaned executives program, which enables businesses that are not contributing to learn about the United Way and how to donate either through the fair share donation, where employees contribute one hour pay of for one month, or through a lump sum.
"It doesn't really matter the amount, it's just important that they know about it," he said.
Ashcraft said this year's campaign is not focused so much on the monetary goal as it is making sure everyone has an opportunity to participate.
He said the United Way is more than half way to its goal of $325,000, and the campaign will continue until Dec. 31.
Ashcraft said another program he is pushing during this year's campaign is the Close to Home program, which enables companies who exceed their previous year's goal by 10 percent and are one top 10 contributors to maintain some of what they raise for their own employees in need.
He said one of the highlights of the campaign has been the donations given by students at Stephen F. Austin State University.
"Over $6,000 was raised by the students for the Nacogdoches County United Way via donations made for T-shirts, canned food, a special SFA victory chain, where students paid 50 cents a link for a chain of victory given to the Lumberjack football team, and penny wars between various student organization," he said.
He said as of right now, the Nacogdoches County United Way has between 50 and 60 business participating, compared to the 30 to 40 that participated last year.
"We've been very successful in repositioning the Nacogdoches County United Way (NCUW) to expand its campaign," he said, attributing the efforts of volunteer coordinators Pam Horton, Stephanie Sobel and Samantha Wilbanks to helping that, as well.
"Live United" campaign agencies for 2010 include Court Appointed Special Advocates, The Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Deep East Texas, American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, Boys and Girls Club of Deep East Texas, Girl Scouts of San Jacinto, GODTEL, Habitat for Humanity, Health Horizons, The Encourager Program, Nacogdoches Treatment Center, The Senior Center, The Salvation Army, Samaritan Counseling Center, Solid Foundation and the Family Crisis Center.
Donations to the 2010 "Live United" campaign can be made through participation in area employee workplace events, direct donations through the new NCUW Web site at www.unitedwaynac.com, or by mailing donations directly to the Nacogdoches County United Way, P.O. Box 630772, Nacogdoches, Texas 75963.
For information, stop by the office at 2424 North Pecan St., Suite 101, or call 564-5869.
