The United Way of Greater St. Louis exceeded its 2014 fundraising goal of $72.5 million fundraising goal by raising a little more than $73 million, 2014 campaign chair Scott Schnuck announced on November 11.
The regional United Way raised a very little more – $75, to be precise – than $73 million.
“It’s really inspiring to know that we live in a community that is willing to step up to the plate to help people in need, no matter the circumstance,” said Schnuck, who is also chairman of the board at Schnuck Markets, Inc.
“This year, we witnessed an outpouring of generosity from everyone in our region – on both sides of the river, from our labor unions, from companies big and small, and households in 16 counties – to make this campaign successful. I thank everyone for their contributions, large and small, to help local families live better.”
Money raised in this year’s campaign will help one out of every three people in this region, Schnuck said. United Way supports more than 170 local nonprofit agencies that assist with basic needs, financial stability, education, health.
The St. Louis Regional Business Council, which represents more than 100 area firms, raised more than $11.1 million this year.
Fourteen companies, their employees and participating labor unions were recognized for combined team gifts of more than $1 million each this year. Team gifts combine the gifts and pledges of employees with the company’s corporate contribution.
At the $5 million or more level in team gifts were the employees of Edward Jones. Edward Jones became the first company to invest $5 million to United Way’s annual campaign.
At the $4 million or more level in team gifts were employees of Monsanto Company.
At the $3 million or more level in team gifts were employees of Enterprise Holdings, Inc., and Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.
At the $2 million or more level in team gifts were employees of Ameren, Emerson, and Wells Fargo.
At the $1 million or more level in team gifts were employees of BJC Healthcare, The Boeing Company, Centene Corporation, MasterCard Technologies and Operations, MasterCard Worldwide, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, Schnuck Markets, Inc., and World Wide Technology, Inc.
In addition to Schnuck, Mike DeCola, CEO of HBM Holding, served as co-chair of this year’s fundraising campaign.
“One of the greatest parts of United Way’s campaign is that our community rallies to help their neighbors in every zip code we serve,” DeCola said.
“It’s the concept of people helping people that makes this campaign so special, and without the generous contributions of time, moral support and donations, we wouldn’t be able to continue to assist one in three people in our region.
Schnuck and DeCola joined United Way board chair, Steve Maritz, and president and CEO Orvin Kimbrough to thank more 600 campaign volunteers and contributors who attended the campaign victory celebration at Ballpark Village.
This year, thousands of volunteers worked on United Way’s campaign, including employee groups, labor unions, businesses, corporations and government employees. More than 2,500 companies ran campaigns and more than 150,000 individuals contributed to United Way’s campaign success in the 16-county region of Missouri and Illinois.
DeCola said, “I’d like to express my deepest gratitude to the St. Louis region for your commitment to helping people live their best possible lives.”
To give to United Way of Greater St. Louis, call 314-421-0700 or visit www.HelpingPeople.org/give.
