United Way Launches 75th Anniversary Campaign

August 26, 2021I Lubbock Area United Way Press Release

Lubbock Area United Way kicked off its 75th Anniversary Campaign today with a luncheon at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. The organization was formed on August 28, 1946 and ran its first campaign in the fall of that year. At today’s event, Campaign Chair Mark Griffin with Rip Griffin Companies announced the 2021 goal of $5,882,846.

Griffin encouraged the audience, “Find your story that drives you to support United Way and its Community Partners. Because your story is a thread in a tapestry of thousands of stories that make up who United Way is and why we continue in our mission of Giving ∙ People ∙ Hope.”

Reverend Dr. Jim Jackson, former senior pastor of First United Methodist Church, gave the keynote address. Dr. Jackson is a long-time volunteer for United Way and a former board member. He currently leads Equip3 out of Houston, Texas, a leadership development organization that provides coaching, mediation, and training.

Money raised during the Annual Campaign is invested in the Lubbock area through United Way’s Community Partners. Community Partner staff and volunteers work to address the root causes of issues facing South Plains communities, such as poverty, inequity in education, family and personal violence, and mental health care. These agencies have also played a significant role in the local response to the pandemic.

JumpStart Division Chair Keith Patrick with Frenship ISD announced the results of eight local businesses that ran their United Way workplace campaigns before the start of the campaign. 

JumpStart Company Results:
•    Happy State Bank                                    $   29,726
•    Lubbock-Cooper ISD                               $   40,690
•    The Griffin Companies                            $   42,500
•    Lubbock Association of Realtors          $   67,607
•    PlainsCapital Bank                                  $   83,708
•    City Bank                                                   $ 110,232
•    United Supermarkets                              $ 400,000

These JumpStart companies and their employees have given a total of $824,462. 
United Way’s Mid-Campaign Report Luncheon will take place in the Civic Center Banquet Hall on October 14 and the campaign will wrap up with the Campaign Celebration Luncheon on November 30.

There is no charge to attend either event. Seating can be reserved now online at liveunitedlubbock.org/events, by email to events@unitedway-lubbock.org, or by calling 806.747.2711. United Way will also host its 75th Anniversary Celebration Event, Moments of Hope, on September 26 at Kitalou Gin. Sponsorship and ticket information is available at liveunitedlubbock.org/75thcelebration.