Last night, the Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society of the United Way of Greater St. Louis kicked off its 2013 fundraising campaign with an exclusive VIP networking reception at the St. Louis Zoo, Lakeside Café. The VIP reception was held for new pledges, cabinet members, or those who have pledged $10,000 or more, and those who have increased their pledge this year by 10 percent. It was followed by a general reception, with about 300 people in attendance. First Bank sponsored the event.
Earlier this month, United Way of Greater St. Louis announced its 2013 campaign goal of $72,250,000.00—according to this year’s Fundraising Co-chairs Ron and Cheri Fromm, it’s the largest fundraising goal to date.
“Hopefully, $2.26 million of that will come from this group,” said Jerilyn Sinskey, vice president of major gifts of the United Way of Greater St. Louis, of the Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society.
Thus far, Sinskey said, the United Way of Greater St. Louis has raised 30 percent of its goal. Before introducing 2012-2013 Co-chairs of the Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society Brenda and Maurice Newberry, emcee Carol Daniel, news anchor of KMOX-AM, said she had only one goal in mind.
“I am here to get you excited about being a member of the Charmaine Chapman Society,” Daniel said. “The reason we are here is to help this community survive, be better and thrive.”
Next year will mark 20 years since Dr. Donald Suggs, publisher and executive editor of The St. Louis American, founded the Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society. The Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society is the highest-ranked philanthropic program for African Americans in the St. Louis region. It recognizes African Americans who pledge an annual gift of $1,000 or more to United Way of Greater St. Louis.
Since its inception, the Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society has raised over $24 million and supports over 170 agencies. Of these agencies, 37 percent predominantly serve the African-American community, like the Annie Malone Children & Family Service Center, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and the Matthews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club.
“This means that our dollars are actually going to help those in need,” Maurice said.
“In fact, some of them may have a difficult time surviving if it were not for our dollars,” Brenda said of the agencies.
Brenda announced a new membership goal for this year, stating that in the past the Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society typically has had a difficult time exceeding 800 members. This year’s goal is not only to be the highest-ranked philanthropic program regionally and nationally, but to be the first to reach 1,000 members, she said. She then jokingly challenged the audience to meet that goal in one night.
“We’re going to lock all the doors. We’re going to stop serving food and drink until we get 200 people,” she said.
Yvette Whitlock, director of customer service and senior employee relations and human resources manager at Macy’s Credit and Customer Services, was one of the first to sign the pledge card.
“It was the right thing to do,” Whitlock said. “So often, we give to other communities and we don’t give to our own; if you’re able to give, why not.”
To date, Sinskey said, the Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society has welcomed 70 new members.
Brenda and Maurice, CEO and COO of Nesher LLC, are long-time supporters of the United Way. This is the second year that the power couple has co-chaired the Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society.
“I give because I think that there’s a great need in the St. Louis community,” Maurice said.
He acknowledged each cabinet member of the Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society, thanking them for their time and commitment.
“You guys are the driver’s behind the work we do for the society and that is absolutely inspiring,” he said.
To learn more or become a member of the 2013 African American Leadership Society, call (314) 539-4191 or visit www.stl.unitedway.org
