More than 800 volunteers and supporters filled the Civic Center Banquet Hall on Thursday, August 31 for Lubbock Area United Way’s 2017 Annual Campaign Kick-Off. The 2017 Campaign Chair, Jon Stephens with SouthWest Bank, announced this year’s campaign goal of $6,091,976, which is the largest goal United Way has ever attempted.
“Our challenge as a community is to meet these needs and give our neighbors hope” Stephens said. “That is what the United Way and its Community Partner Agencies do on a daily basis: give people hope.”
The keynote speaker for the event was Matt Bumstead, distinguished Lubbock businessman and CEO-in-Residence for Lubbock Christian University School of Business. Bumstead spoke about the importance of communtiy, having the audience repaeat: "This is our home. These our people. This is our world. This is our family. We are Lubbock!"
"We need to make a statement to every person in this community that is in need. We are together. You are not alone." said Bumstead.
A Lexus Champions for Charity Golf Package, provided by Alderson Lexus, was auctioned off in a live auction.
Money raised during the Annual Campaign is invested in the Lubbock area through United Way’s 23 Community Partners. These partners work year-round to address issues in the community by making positive changes in people’s lives.
Real Estate Division Chair Becky Householder with Coldwell Banker Rick Canup, Realtors, announced that Lubbock realtors had kicked off their campaign early and have raised $90,060.
JumpStart Division Chair Kelsey Tubb with City Bank, announced the results of nine local businesses that ran their United Way workplace campaigns prior to the beginning of the campaign.
JumpStart Company Results:
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Kinetico of West Texas - $ 7,755
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NTS Communications - $ 12,057
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SouthWest Bank - $ 20,410
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Citibus - $ 50,000
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Sysco West Texas - $ 57,512
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PlainsCapital Bank - $ 83,906
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City Bank - $ 108,043
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United Supermarkets - $ 352,243
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Covenant Health - $ 545,629
The Real Estate and JumpStart Division combined total is $1,327,615, representing 21.8% of the overall goal raised by the official start of the campaign.
United Way’s Mid-Campaign Report Luncheon will take place in the Civic Center Banquet Hall on October 19 and the campaign will wrap up with a Victory Report Luncheon on November 28. There is no charge to attend either event. Seating can be reserved now by sending an email to events@unitedway-lubbock.org or calling 806.747.2711.
Lubbock Area United Way funds programs at 23 local Community Partner Agencies. These programs work daily to assist people in Lubbock and surrounding communities with needs such as affordable quality child care, parenting education, crisis situations, adult literacy, job training, and youth mentoring. Click here for a complete list of the Community Partners and the services they provide.