“This has been a ground-breaking year and I am so excited to say, ‘We did it!’” said Brenda Newberry, co-chair of the African American–Charmaine Chapman Society Cabinet for the United Way of Greater St. Louis, at a Dec. 5 thank you event.
More than 200 United Way members applauded as Newberry announced that Charmaine Chapman Society had raised a record-breaking $2.2 million for the 2012 United Way campaign. The Charmaine Chapman Society again remains number one in the nation for the highest philanthropic contributions of African Americans to an annual United Way campaign.
“We made history and accomplished something that other cities can only dream about,” Newberry said. “It has been an absolute pleasure leading the Charmaine Chapman Society this year alongside my husband Maurice. I am continuously amazed by the generosity that you all exhibit.”
As a new tradition, the United Way gave awards to companies who achieved the top dollar amount and the top number of total givers.
World Wide Technology, Inc. raised the highest dollar amount among African-American donors with $332,600. Edward Jones and Wells Fargo Advisors followed in dollar amount totals.
Edward Jones had the highest total number of African-American donors with 71, followed by Wells Fargo and UPS.
Washington University had the highest number of new Charmaine Chapman Society donors this year with 16 new givers. And Express Scripts followed at a close second with 14 new givers.
Also, Peabody Energy had the highest percentage increase in Charmaine Chapman Society gifts over last year, followed by Regions Bank.
Gary Dollar, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater St. Louis since 2001, said these companies embrace the giving spirit of his mentor, Charmaine Chapman, who was the first African American and the first woman to lead the regional United Way.
“It is in this spirit that I ask each of you to continue the legacy of philanthropy that my beloved colleague Charmaine Chapman worked so hard to create,” said Dollar.
“She was truly a pioneer,” Brenda Newberry said of Chapman. “And it was her vision and Dr. Donald M. Suggs’ foresight that laid the foundation for where we are today. We owe them both a great deal of gratitude.”
The Charmaine Chapman Society was founded by Donald M. Suggs, publisher and executive editor of The St. Louis American, in 1994.
“On behalf of United Way, I’d like to thank you for helping us to raise over $72 million this year,” Newberry said. “Your contributions will feed families, provide needed medical support, help our elders and bring hope to hopeless in the St. Louis community.”
The overall 2012 campaign was chaired by Gregory H. Boyce, chairman and CEO of Peabody Energy, who thanked the African-American leadership cabinet for helping him exceed his campaign goal.
Newberry also thanked Reuben Shelton, senior counselor-litigation for Monsanto, for his leadership in overseeing the de Tocqueville Society component of the initiative, which includes members who give $10,000 or more each year. The United Way had a total of 44 African-American members of the de Tocqueville Society this year.
“He helped to mobilize African-American de Tocqueville Society members and was able to recruit 11 new African-American de Tocquevilles,” Newberry said of Shelton. “This is absolutely amazing, and it shows how his personal effort has helped us to achieve something phenomenal.”
Newberry recognized all the society’s cabinet members, especially the young leaders – including LaShanda Barnes, Steven Harris, Amber Simpson and Sherita Haigler – who are showing their peers what it means to give back.
Dollar, who will retire in July 2013, reflected on his final campaign with the United Way.
“It feels so gratifying to retire knowing that so many people will be helped and that our neighbors will get the services they need,” he said.
“Each year, we see leaders in the Charmaine Chapman Society reach deeper and give, and this is what enables those who need help to receive it.”
