Campaign Finale

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United Way of Dutchess Raises $1.7 Million in Fast-Paced 12-Week Campaign

Total on track to top goal with 43 Workplace Campaigns still in progress

The United Way of Dutchess County celebrated the end of its intense 12-week 2010 Workplace Campaign with a salute to the donors and organizations that raised $1,705,786 during the period at an event Thursday at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel.

“These results reflect the generous donations and pledges received to date by donors who were mobilized during our brief campaign to help their neighbors and our community,” said United Way of Dutchess Board of Governors Chair Sheila Appel. “There are still 43 campaigns going strong in their workplaces and those envelopes and other donations will continue to come in during early 2011.”

“We knew from the start that this year’s campaign would be incredibly challenging,” said Barry Rothfeld, 2010 Campaign Chair. “Yet in these difficult times, we had an increase in participation and donations in 42 workplace campaigns, we gained 427 first-time donors, and added 9 new organizations to the 2010 campaign. Plus 11 organizations increased their corporate gifts.”

A unique feature of the event was a huge domino toppling creation that highlighted the companies and organizations that were top supporters in this year’s Community Fund campaign. The toppling dominoes were set up by professional domino toppler “Domino Dan” Beckerleg of the Town of Poughkeepsie whose artistic displays have been highlights of events for United Way of Central New Mexico, Domino’s Pizza and numerous other companies and organizations.

Community Fund dollars raised during the annual campaign are used to support partnerships with more than 38 community organizations that help United Way meet its mission to make measurable improvements in the lives of more than 50,000 Dutchess County residents who are served by United Way partners each year.

“The exceptional results of this campaign are a testament to the hard work of our entire campaign team,” Rothfeld said in thanking the campaign team. “Never has this community needed these funds more, and our unyielding teamwork and your inspirational efforts pulled off a great win for United Way and for this community.” The team was made up of more than 188 employee campaign managers who encouraged pledges and donations in Dutchess County workplaces and 23 loaned executives from organizations who promote the campaign and 17 campaign leaders.

Thank you for joining us on December 9 at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel from 5:00-7:00 p.m. as we celebrated the power of community and thanked you for your generous contribution to United Way.