The United Way of the CSRA (UWCSRA) held its annual luncheon on March 11 to mark the end of its capital campaign.
Brittany Burnett, President and CEO of UWCSRA, told ABD the luncheon is an opportunity to recognize companies and individuals that went above and beyond to support the annual campaign.
This year’s Spirit of Community Award was presented to Aurubis Richmond for its commitment to strengthening the CSRA through community involvement. Donnell Jenkins, a volunteer at MACH Academy, received the 2024 Alvin W. Vogtle Volunteer of the Year Award for his work empowering youth through computer literacy, coding, financial literacy, and STEM education.
Burnett said they faced a particularly challenging year with Hurricane Helene hitting the area just five weeks after the kickoff campaign, but that also played a role in the campaign’s success. The goal announced for the campaign was $2.4 million. Contributions through the capital campaign, coupled with disaster recovery donations, pushed the total collected to $3.3 million. Factoring in volunteerism raised the final total to more than $5 million in cash and in-kind contributions.
“United Way has been on the front line of that response since the very beginning. So, we’re here to honor some of those folks as well and thank people who have had a vested interest in making sure our community is ultimately stronger despite this disaster,” she said.
Burnett said in the first two weeks after the hurricane devastated parts of the CSRA calls to the organization’s 2-1-1 helpline increased 10 times over the normal number received. Many were from the so-called “ALICE” (Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families and individuals. However, they also received calls from people who had never called before and had never expected to need help from UWCSRA.
Burnett said the 2024 campaign impacted 129,950 people including the ride-sharing program with Lyft, nearly 60,000 meals provided, just under 1,200 households received emergency rent and utility assistance and 1,980 children received toys through the Empty Stocking program.
“I ask you to please remember these programs are only as effective and far-reaching as they are because of financial support received by our community. The more we can support the great folks on the ground doing the work, the more neighbors in need we can help now,” she told the crowd.
While dozens of businesses and corporations work with UWCSRA, Joe Klecha, UWCSRA Board Chairman, urged other businesses to join the team.
“We’ve seen a decrease in the amount of campaigns and funding from businesses. Part of that is attributed to the financial markets, but part of it is we have such a turnover of business in the area,” he said. “Although we continue to see growth, we need those new companies to get engaged in the community, to be a part, to step up. Doesn’t have to be financial. It could be partnerships, it could be volunteering, it could be getting their people engaged in the community. But we need them to do that.”
Burnett said 14% of the households in the CSRA are living in poverty but combined with the 37% of households classified as ALICE families and it means 51% of the community is struggling in some way.
A number of companies were honored with Campaign Champion awards:
- $20,000+ campaigns: Beasley Broadcasting Group, Centerra, Clearwater Paper, Columbia County School District, Fluor, Palmetto GBA, Richmond County School System, SouthState Bank, SRP Federal Credit Union
- $50,000+ campaigns: Aurubis Richmond, Battelle Savannah River Alliance, Savannah River Mission Completion
- $100,000+ campaigns: Club Car, John Deere, Publix
- $200,000+ campaign: Southern Nuclear
- Top Fundraiser, raising over $246,000: Savannah River Nuclear Solution
