“font-family: Verdana;”>In the face of a strained economy and high unemployment rates, local African-American leaders secured $2 million for the
United Way
“line-height: 115%;”>of Greater St. Louis, setting a new high for “font-family: Verdana;”>’s African-American giving locally and nationally.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Orvin Kimbrough, a United Way senior vice president, congratulated the members of the African-American Leadership Cabinet on reaching this year’s goal.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>“You all should take a bow because you helped navigate a tough economy and march right into the history books – you have secured $2 million through African-American giving in this region,” he said. “You have set a new standard nationally, and you will help more people as a result of it.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Overall, the United Way of Greater St. Louis “font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”> raised the most it has ever raised before: $71,027,412, surpassing its goal of $71 million.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Members of the African-American Leadership Society rejoiced, sending emails of congratulations and gratitude, on meeting the 2011 campaign goal.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>“Praise God for the things He has done,” wrote David L. Steward, founder and chairman of World Wide Technologies, one of the top African-American givers to the United Way in St. Louis.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>In 2010, the group (also known as the Charmaine Chapman Society) had more than 800 members and raised more than $1.8 million for the United Way of Greater St. Louis campaign. The society recognizes African Americans who donate $1,000 or more to United Way annually.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>More than $19.75 million was invested in 61 of United Way’s partner agencies that primarily serve African Americans throughout United Way’s 16-county service area last year.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>In a year when African Americans are experiencing double-digit unemployment rates, St. Louis remains first in African-American giving among United Ways across the country.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Richard Mark, senior vice president of customer operations for Ameren Missouri, is 2011 chair of the African American Leadership Society. At the beginning of the campaign, Mark told society members that he wanted a knock out, said Pat Smith Thurman of MasterCard, who is also one of the top African-American givers in St. Louis.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>“Well, this one is off the charts,” Thurman said. “Congratulations to all who made it happen.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>Danny Ludeman, CEO of Wells Fargo Advisors and the 2011 Campaign Chair, said he was “amazed and humbled” by the region’s generosity.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”> “There is no shortage of giving in this community; in fact, it’s one of the characteristics St. Louisans are known for,” he said.
