November 28, 2017 | Source: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
By Sarah Self-Walbrick
Lubbock Area United Way announced Tuesday, November 28 that the nonprofit reached its annual campaign goal, with over $6.1 million donated by the local community.
The $6,103,061 raised was more than $11,000 over the goal announced at the beginning of the campaign in August. The 2017 campaign raised more money than any other year in the Lubbock Area United Way’s 70 year history.
Campaign Chairman Jon Stephens, of SouthWest Bank, said he was overwhelmed by the success of the months-long campaign and was appreciative of everyone who made it so, including those who attended the victory report luncheon on Tuesday at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.
“It just feels incredible. We are so lucky and fortunate to live in Lubbock, Texas, and to be in a room with 800 of our best friends and supporters,” Stephens said. “They support this community, this United Way agency every single year, and it just feels amazing.”
The feeling of achieving the campaign goal is great, Stephens said, but knowing what the money goes toward is even better.
“Today is not about the number after the dollar sign,” Stephens said. “It is about the thousands of lives that will be impacted as a result.”
Loaned Executive Chairman Seth Schulz of PlainsCapital Bank agreed with Stephens, saying the months of hard work were worth it. The Loaned Executive and JumpStart teams, who raised more than $3.4 million of the campaign total, had been working toward their donation goals since the spring, Schulz said, while also volunteering with area United Way partners.
“The most meaningful impact of this whole thing is not the dollars that were raised. It’s the lives that we impact with those dollars,” Schulz said. “It’s a total community effort. The city of Lubbock and surrounding communities have come together to give. That’s what makes up the fabric of West Texas.”
The victory report program also included the recognition of the Speakers’ Bureau volunteers, presented to more than 7,000 people this year.
Lubbock Area United Way works daily with 23 community partners who help people with needs such as affordable child care, crisis situations, character development, literacy, job training and youth mentoring, according to a news release from the group. Last year, the organization helped more than 100,000 people.
The 2018 campaign will be chaired by Doug Hensley of Reagor Dykes Auto Group and will kickoff next August. Stephens said the campaign improves each year and that next year will undoubtedly be another success.
Campaign Dision Totals
■ National: $29,277
■ Special gifts: $69,254
■ Professional: $202,065
■ Golf tournaments: $221,684
■ Local government: $381,783
■ State employee charitable campaign: $827,246
■ Corporate: $933,231
■ Loaned Executives/JumpStart: $3,438,521
Total: $6,103,061