Stillwater, OKLA. - The Stillwater Area United Way’s 2006 campaign has flown nearly $20,000 higher than the original $740,000 goal. That was the report given by campaign chairs Richard and Marti Dermer and Natalea Watkins to the campaign cabinet last week.
“Surprisingly, it’s almost as hard to admit victory as defeat,” said Watkins. “We keep seeing people and places where our campaign could have been more effective and with everything from Hurricane Katrina to wildfires, we knew going in that the need was greater than our goal.”
The Dermers agree that the campaign itself was a wonderful opportunity to learn about the good work being done in Stillwater as well as the depth of need here.
“We are particularly grateful for the quality of work done by the members of our campaign cabinet who define neighbors working for neighbors,” Said Richard.
The Dermer’s, who are internationally recognized kite enthusiasts, volunteered their kite expertise to support the “Fly the United Way” campaign theme.
“We’ve lived in Stillwater all our lives, but have developed a new appreciation for United Way and for the expertise Executive Director Shelly Ricker brings to the annual campaign and year round community service,” said Marti.
Larry Secrest of Quebecor World chaired the industry division which added over $16,000 to the campaign total.
Kenny Josey of BancFirst led the loaned executive division to a total that was $3,375 over their $140,000 goal.
Chris Peterman, Payne County Bank, chaired the Perkins community campaign. Their campaign total was almost $16,000.
Steve Norman of Edward Jones Investments, set a new record in developing contributions from the professional division with a division total of $30,800.
The OSU campaign was chaired by Amjad Ayoubi of Career Servicers, who is now at Tulane University and Bob Dixon from Grants and Contracts. The OSU made a big difference, contributing $169,800 for 23% of the total campaign – the largest amount from any division and nearly $20,000 over their original goal.
Mayor Bud Lacy assisted with the residential mail campaign which raised over $71,000 for United Way.
Karen Flack, Stillwater Designs, contacted the high tech groups in the community to raise over $37,000.
Regina Hall, director of Success By 6/Smart Start, headed the child care providers group which exceeded their goal by almost 20%.
Small businesses in the Stillwater area contributed more than $20,000 to the campaign total while the general community division which includes the public schools, Meridian Technology and Career Tech raised over $91,500.
Special events brought $30,000 to the campaign total. Those events included the Three Amigos United Way Golf Classic in May and the Juke Joint Jog in September, both events are sponsored by the Stan Clark Companies. Shyla Eggers of the Stillwater Medical Center, coordinated those events with Stan Clark Company employees.
Watkins also credited Kim Hall of the United Way staff for the success of this year’s campaign. “We’ve gotten a little spoiled with Shelly Ricker’s decades of experience and steady hand on the campaign. When Shelley’s surgery took her out of the office for several weeks, Kim really stepped in and kept all the details in order so that the campaign did not miss a beat.”
Over 250 volunteers helped to make the campaign a success. Volunteers coordinate a wide range of events to not only raise money for the United Way, but also to raise awareness of the need in Stillwater and the way United Way Agencies do what matters. Campaign events ran the gamut from silent auctions, chili cook-offs, pizza lunches, breakfasts and putting contests to jewelry and book sales and surplus supplies sales.
The funds will be distributed to 25 local agencies that provide help to over 50,000 area residents each year. Those agencies are: American Red Cross, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Consumer Credit Counseling, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Edwin Fair Community Mental Health Center, Judith Karmen Hospice, Legal Aid, Life Adult Day Care, Mission of Hope, Mobile Meals, Payne County CASA, Payne County Family Practice, Payne County Youth Services, Salvation Army, Sheltered Workshop, Starting Point Two, Stillwater Community Health Center, Domestic Violence, Literacy Council, YMCA, Saville Center and the Payne County Drug Court.
The local United Way started in 1952 as a committee of the Chamber of Commerce and they raised $20,000. Since 1952, over $13 million has been raised and invested right back into the community to assist area residents.
Terri Collier, BancFirst, served as president of the United Way board of directors and during the campaign. Her successor is Teri Smith, human resources director at Quebecor World. The 2007 campaign will kick off in mid September this year. The campaign goal will be determined this spring following the annual agency review process by United Way volunteers.
For more information about the Stillwater Area United Way, visit their website at www.stillwaterunitedway.org or call the United Way office at 377-2161. The local office is located in downtown Stillwater, 109 East 9th Avenue, next to the historic Citizen’s Bank Building.
