Lubbock Area United Way sets nearly $5.9 million annual campaign goal

August 22, 2019 | Source: Lubbock Avalanche Journal

By: Jayme Lozano

Lubbock Area United Way kicked off its annual campaign Thursday at a luncheon where leaders announced their new nearly $5.9 million goal, and how local companies are already working toward it.

Campaign Chair Tony Lloyd announced at the luncheon at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center that this year’s goal would be $5,888,669. The goal is slightly lower than last year’s goal of $5,935,151.

Even though the goal was shared Thursday, a few Lubbock businesses started their campaigns early. Vanessa Dirks, president of the Lubbock Association of Realtors, announced that the association has raised $86,494 so far.

The JumpStart division companies have also started their campaigns before the official announcement. Fox34 and Ramar Communications raised $31,144; Citibus raised $56,000; PlainsCapital Bank raised $90,267; City Bank raised $125,461; United Supermarkets raised $377,780; and Covenant Health raised $441,555. The JumpStart companies and Lubbock realtors have already raised a combined total of $1,208,701, just over 20 percent of the 2019 goal.

“These companies and the Lubbock Association of Realtors have shown an extraordinary commitment - not only to a great start to the campaign, but to ensuring we will rise together so no one on the South Plains stands alone,” said Kelsey Johnson, JumpStart Division chair.

The keynote address featured a conversation with Anna Babin, CEO of United Way of Greater Houston, according to a Lubbock Area United Way news release. Babin shared about Hurricane Harvey, the continued recovery efforts, and the impact United Ways across the globe make daily in their communities.

Money raised during the Annual Campaign is invested in the Lubbock area through United Way’s Community Partners. These agencies work year-round to address issues in the community by making positive changes in people’s lives.

Lloyd asked the audience to consider why they support United Way and communities on the South Plains, challenging them to, “Ask yourself that question and carry it with you during the coming months. Share that why with the people you work with, with your friends, with your family ... all of those whys out there in our community – we can work to answer those whys and give hope to more than 120,000 people across the South Plains.”