By KWGS News
Tulsa, OK – The Tulsa Area United Way volunteer Board of Directors has approved a goal of $24,067,551 for its 2010 fundraising campaign that officially kicks off Friday, September 10, 2010. Dan Ellinor, Senior Executive Vice President of Bank of Oklahoma, N.A. and 2010 Campaign Chair, announced the goal following a meeting of the Board today.
"As we prepare for this year's campaign, we see both challenges and opportunities ahead," said Ellinor. "Even during difficult economic times, the people and companies of Tulsa continue to show their generosity and giving spirits. We feel this goal will provide our 61 partner agencies with the resources they need to continue to provide critical services in the Tulsa area."
Ellinor said th e Campaign Cabinet has spent the past five months carefully assessing last year's campaign, evaluating the economic climate while building a strong volunteer base. "In developing this year's goal, we have reviewed the state of the local economy and the ever increasing needs of the six-county area," Ellinor said. "With our remarkable campaign team and the support of all of our communities, we will do our best to not only meet, but hopefully exceed the $24 million goal."
"In the last five months, nearly 150 volunteers contributed more than 4,000 hours to assess each of the 61 agencies' funding requests and determine the best investment strategy for funds raised by the 2010 campaign," said Don Walker, President of ARVEST and 2010 TAUW Board of Directors Chair. "The resulting recommendation is balanced with input from the Community Investments Steering Committee, the Campaign Cabinet and TAUW's Board of Directors. "
"The Tulsa area has a remarkable history of stepping forward, both in times of prosperity and during economically challenging times, to help its residents," said Mark R. Graham, TAUW President and CEO. "While we're seeing signs of recovery, our partner agencies are still experiencing an increased demand for services and we all need to do our best to ensure that those needs are met. We are confident that area companies and citizens will once again generously contribute to helping their families, friends and neighbors through their gifts to the Tulsa Area United Way."
"In addition to a historically strong base of companies who conduct campaigns every year, last year we welcomed 113 new employee campaigns, most of which were small and growing businesses. There is the potential for many more businesses of all sizes to run first time campaigns," Graham said. "We w ill work to ensure that everyone - companies, organizations and individuals - is a part of this community-wide effort."
In the last 86 years, the Tulsa Area United Way has invested more than $568 million in the Tulsa area community, delivering the three building blocks to a better life: education, financial stability and health/safety. The Tulsa Area United Way provides services to more than 726,000 individuals annually through its 61 partner agencies in Creek, Okmulgee, Osage, Rogers, Wagoner and Tulsa counties. For more information, call TAUW at 583-7171 or visit www