In a time of great need for social services, the United Way of Greater St. Louis exceeded its $72.25 million fundraising goal by raising $72,254,028 for its member agencies.
“It takes an outpouring of generosity from all corners of our community to generate this kind of support,” said United Way 2013 Campaign Co-Chair Cheri Fromm.
One critical source of support was the Charmaine Chapman Society, comprised of African Americans who donate $1,000 or more annually to the United Way.
“For the third year in a row, the Charmaine Chapman Society has exceeded the $2 million and 800-member marks and continues to be the No. 1 philanthropic program for African Americans in the St. Louis region and throughout the country,” said Maurice Newberry, co-chair of the 2013 Charmaine Chapman Society.
Cheri Fromm was joined by her husband and 2013 United Way campaign co-chair Ron Fromm, chairman of the board of Brown Shoe Company, in thanking more than 300 campaign volunteers and contributors who attended the campaign victory celebration at The Sheldon Concert Hall on Wednesday evening.
Maurice Newberry was joined by his wife and 2013 Charmaine Chapman Society campaign co-chair Brenda Newberry.
“As we move into the 20th anniversary of the society that began in 1994 with less than 100 members giving $148,000, we celebrate the growth of the Charmaine Chapman Society and its wonderful accomplishments,” said Brenda Newberry.
The Charmaine Chapman Society has raised more than $26 million to help people through United Way since its inception.
Thousands of volunteers worked on the 2013 United Way campaign, including employee groups, labor unions, businesses, corporations and government employees. More than 2,500 companies ran campaigns and more than 200,000 individuals contributed to the United Way campaign’s success in the 16-county region of Missouri and Illinois.
“We received support from the corporate community, from individuals from all walks of life, from families, foundations, non-profit organizations,” Ron Fromm said.
The St. Louis Regional Business Council, which represents more than 100 area firms, raised more than $10.4 million this year.
Fifteen 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 $4 million or more level in team gifts were employees of Edward Jones and Monsanto Company.
At the $3 million or more in team gifts were employees of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., Enterprise Holdings, and Wells Fargo Advisors. The Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. gift also includes pledges from its labor unions and Anheuser-Busch Foundation.
At the $2 million or more in team gifts were employees of Ameren and Emerson.
At the $1 million or more in team gifts were employees of BJC HealthCare, The Boeing Company, Brown Shoe Company, MasterCard Worldwide, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, Peabody Energy, Schnuck Markets and U.S. Bank.
United Way of Greater St. Louis supports more than 170 agencies in the counties of: St. Charles, Warren, Lincoln, St. Louis, St. Louis City, and Jefferson counties in Missouri and Clinton, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, and Madison in Illinois.
“Together, we are supporting one million family, friends and neighbors,” Cheri Fromm said.
To give to United Way of Greater St. Louis, call 314-539-4101 or go online to
www.stl.unitedway.org.