Day of action 2010

A quarterly publication of

Fall 2010

Day of action 2010

Day of action 2010

Pages 4-5Pages 4-5

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suntrust Lives UniteDInvestments are the business of SunTrust Banks Inc., and the company is making strong investments in the Richmond-Petersburg region that go beyond savings and loans. The company’s unwavering commitment to the community has made SunTrust a Million-Plus Contributor to United Way locally for the last seven years. Hundreds of employees have also given thousands of volunteer hours to United Way and our partner organizations. Most recently, during the summer of 2010, more than 200 SunTrust teammates gave 1,000 hours of volunteer service over just 10 weeks. They completed 22 volunteer projects at United Way partner agencies that included CARITAS, Circle Center Adult Day Services, A Grace Place Adult Care Center, Meals on Wheels (Feedmore Inc.) and the YWCA of Richmond.

“Our mission to help people and institutions prosper is clearly expressed by the support we provide to the communities we serve. This year, we introduced a new volunteerism program, Solid Gives Back, where our teammates receive up to 16 hours per year to volunteer in the community,” said Gail Letts, President & CEO of SunTrust Bank, Central Virginia, and Chair-Elect of United Way’s Board of Directors.

“This year, our teammates dramatically increased the amount of volunteer time given to the United Way,” she said. “I’m proud that everyone at SunTrust is so committed to Live United and that they are giving, advocating and volunteering throughout the Richmond community.” Response to the summer volunteer events was so strong that SunTrust will continue to offer volunteer opportunities through United Way.

Volunteers at A Grace Place Adult Care Center always have their photos taken in the garden, next to the beautiful landscape mural.

Volunteers enjoy the playground at the YWCA of Richmond.

Gail Letts

Dear Friends of United Way:

As I am out in the community, especially during our fundraising campaign season, it warms my heart to hear testimonials and thanks from the people who have been helped by United Way.

We owe their success to you. It is your commitment to providing health, education and a future to thousands of local people through United Way that is changing our community, now and in the years to come.

We are proud to have you as partners in this important work.

That’s why this issue is dedicated to your endeavors. You and your employers have donated time, talent and treasure to support United Way’s initiatives and partner agencies. And your leadership in giving makes it possible for United Way to provide the resources that keep this work going.

Our 2010 fundraising campaign is under way, and your support is critical to help the community weather the economic challenges and maintain the progress that’s been made. If you have made your donation, we thank you. If not, we encourage you to join with us and multiply the impact of your generosity through United Way.

With your commitment, we know that we’ll have a successful campaign.

Sincerely,

Sherrie Brach, CEO brachs@yourunitedway.org (804) 771-5828

Message from the CEO

Sherrie Brach

SunTrust teammates are making a tremendous impact in the community through volunteerism. This summer, more than 200 teammates gave 1,000 hours of service. Thank you, SunTrust!

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One night each year, United Way gathers our most generous donors to honor their dedication to building a stronger community. This year’s Tocqueville Society Recognition Reception, held September 13 at MWV World Headquarters, was a heartfelt celebration of giving and engagement.

One couple in particular was recognized for their extraordinary service and generosity. Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Ukrop received the 2009 Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award, United Way’s most prestigious honor. Jayne Ukrop’s involvement in HeartStrings, a group which brings music ministry to local nursing homes weekly, has been a personal passion for 15 years. As well, she has been a devoted servant leader as a caregiver to numerous individuals and family members. Bobby Ukrop has supported many organizations in Richmond, including the Greater Richmond Chamber, the Salvation Army, the Central Virginia Foodbank, and Sports Backers.

“To whom much is given, much is required,” Bobby Ukrop said upon accepting the award. The Ukrops have more than demonstrated their commitment to this guiding principle.

ceLebrating service, generosity anD commitment

Steve and Lori Scherger with Tammy and Paul Koonce

Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Ukrop, with United Way Board Chair Steve Scherger (left) and CEO Sherrie Brach (right), display the 2009 Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award

Stasia “Mitzi” McDowell, Jayne Ukrop and Julia Nofsinger

Dr. Frank Royal and Cotes Pinckney

Tom Chewning, Dr. Pam Royal and the Hon. C.N. Jenkins

above: Volunteers from SunTrust (left) helped decorate classrooms at the FRIENDS Association for Children’s Taylor Childcare Center. At the Boys & Girls Club Capital One Unit, Dominion Virginia Power CEO Paul Koonce (right) coached the club’s kids during a “Crazy Carnival.”

right: “Casino Day” at Circle Center Adult Day Services included card games and other games of chance led by volunteers from Bon Secours Richmond Health System.

above: Snoopy (left) brought the fun to our Campaign Kickoff Event, sharing hugs and smiles with ev-eryone. Gianna Clark (above right), Vice President of Customer Service for Dominion Virginia Power, trans-formed into a Dr. Seuss character to read aloud at A Grace Place Adult Care Center.

right: Volunteers from our region’s local governments and schools weeded and harvested vegetables at the William Byrd Community House farmlet. The fruits and veg-etables are distributed through William Byrd’s food pantry.

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United Way’s biggest volunteer event of the year grew even larger in 2010! The third annual Day of Action, held September 16, celebrated the spirit and value of volunteerism with almost 300 individual and corporate volunteers. We provided 900 hours of client entertainment, cleaning, painting and organizing for 20 nonprofit agencies. More than 20 companies and local governments and schools sent volunteers to Day of Action. SunTrust, Owens & Minor, MWV, Bon Secours Richmond Health System, Principal Financial, Tredegar and Wells Fargo were just some of the companies represented that day. United Way’s Women’s Leadership Initiative and the Women of Tocqueville also shared their talents.

day of action

2010

day of action

2010300 volunteers + 20 nonprofits

= BIG IMPACT!

above: At A Grace Place Adult Care Center, volunteers from Dominion (left) joined clients to exercise to jazz music, and volunteers from Owens & Minor (right) played games and took walks with clients.

Left: Over at the Boys & Girls Club’s “Crazy Carnival,” volunteers from Principal Financial made new friends as they shot hoops and played silly games with club members.

above: The Cat in the Hat (left) stopped by A Grace Place to read her story to clients. Nutzy the Squirrel (right), the mascot for the Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team, also made a special appearance at the Boys & Girls Club with United Way mascot Community Caren.

Left: Volunteers finished off the day with dinner and live music at our Campaign Kickoff Celebration at the Richmond International Raceway.

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Visit Facebook.com/UnitedWayGRP to see more photos!You do not need a Facebook account to view our page.

day of action

2010

day of action

2010300 volunteers + 20 nonprofits

= BIG IMPACT!The day’s incredible success would not have been possible without Dominion Resources and Dominion Virginia Power. More than 60 Dominion employees participated in Day of Action, the largest single-company turnout this year. Dominion also supported Day of Action and the Campaign Kickoff Celebration as the exclusive sponsor of the events. Once the projects were completed, volunteers joined community members at the Richmond International Raceway’s Torque Club Lounge to mark the start of the 2010 fall fundraising campaign. The Campaign Kickoff Celebration included live music by Caught in the Rift and a guest appearance by Snoopy, who came all the way from Kings Dominion to join us.

At 18 years old, Nikita was making progress with her plan to change her life. She was going to graduate from high school, attend college, move out of Gilpin Court, and ultimately help other children in housing projects to make the same journey.

Then she found out she was pregnant.

“I didn’t know what to do with a baby,” Nikita said. But she wanted to learn, to give her daughter a good start in life and ensure that they would both be successful.

Her decision was clear: Nikita would become a mother and remain in school. She would make sure that her daughter had everything she needed to learn and grow.

What Nikita wanted to accomplish would be difficult for anyone, let alone for someone with limited resources. She needed help – and due to your support of United Way, that help was available.

Nikita committed to improving her daughter’s opportunities by enrolling in a home-visiting program that receives United Way funding. She and her baby received support from an outreach worker, a registered nurse,

and a behavioral health clinician. The team’s goal: to help Nikita become self-sufficient, which would in turn give her daughter a strong start in life.

The team regularly visited Nikita and her child in their home. They helped Nikita finish school, taught her how to care for and play with her baby, and made sure that both mother and daughter received medical care.

Opportunities for families without the resources to become self-sufficient are available as a result of your decision to support United Way.

you gave nikita and Her Daughter a future

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Nikita, here with her daughter, is excited about the opportunities her daughter will have thanks to the support you’ve given them through United Way.

meet mrs. Hernandez and anita’s family, as well as nikita, at yourunitedway.org

Through United Way, you also ensure that older adults receive the healthy meals and care they need to stay at home as they age. And you are giving thousands of people access to programs that help their children, keep their families housed and help them become financially stable.

It would be almost impossible for you to meet everyone you have helped through United Way, but we can introduce you to a few.

Nikita is a real teenager here in Richmond. She was excited to tell you firsthand how you have changed her daughter’s life. You will see her around the community on local billboards, in newspaper and television ads, and in a video on www.yourunitedway.org.

Mrs. Hernandez, a former volunteer who now receives meal delivery, and Anita, a mother who has found quality care for her children, are also real people here in Richmond. They, too, were excited to tell you how you have made a difference in their lives. We hope you’ll visit our website and watch their videos.

Nikita’s story, as told in her video, has a very happy ending. Her daughter is a thriving 1-year-old, and Nikita is enrolled in a local four-year college. Thanks to you, she still receives support from her home-visiting program as she and her daughter make their way in the world.

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Harnessing the caring Power of WomenThe last few months have been a whirlwind of activity for members of the Women’s Leadership Initiative. Volunteers (above) have cleaned Capital Childcare center, helped children shop for back-to-school items through the Y’s Bright Beginnings program, and improved the playground at the Formative Years Child Development Center during United Way’s annual Day of Action. Their hard work improved the lives of many local children!

The biggest undertaking was the Women’s Leadership Initiative breakfast on September 29. More than 400 women came together at the Richmond Convention Center to hear

about the importance of early childhood development. Keynote speaker Dr. Sharon Ramey, founding director of the Georgetown University Center on Health Education (seated in top right photo), discussed how her decades of research have shown that children who receive quality care during their early years will be successful in life.

Your support is needed to continue making a difference in the lives of our region’s children. We are seeking donations for the annual Holiday Drive, as well as Holiday Helpers to assist with logistics. To help, or to join the Women’s Leadership Initiative, contact Beth Tyson today.

Join Us!We welcome every woman to become a member of the Women’s Leadership Initiative. visitwww.yourunitedway.orgor contact Beth Tyson at (804) 771-5826 or tysonb@yourunitedway.org.

P. O. Box 11807Richmond, Virginia 23230

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tHanK yoU to aLL of oUr Day of action voLUnteers!

sePtember 16, 2010 300 voLUnteers

A quarterly publication of

Fall 2010

PAGES 4-5 PAGES PAGES4-5 4-5

DAY OF ACTION 2010

DAY OF ACTION 2010