Media Releases

March 25, 2008

United Way launches 2008 campaign, announces two community challenge grants

Announcement highlights the broad reach of United Way's Community Fund

Rochester, NY – United Way of Greater Rochester launched its 2008 spring campaign today, announcing a goal of $33 million, while highlighting the importance of giving to its Community Fund.

“Goal setting for United Way isn’t much different than goal setting for businesses,” said Jonathan J. Judge, President and CEO of Paychex, Inc. and Chair of the United Way Campaign.  “You want to make sure you set the goal as aggressively as you can to achieve your highest performance... but not so high that you can’t be successful for our community.  The difference for United Way is if we don’t raise sufficient dollars, we are not able to fund—at the necessary level—very important programs for our friends and neighbors in need.”

United Way also announced details of two new community challenge grants.  This year,  ESL Federal Credit Union issued the 2008 Challenge for Change, where every gift to United Way that is increased to $500 -  or any new gifts at that level -  will result in ESL donating an additional $500 to United Way. Also, Nelson and Nancy Leenhouts and Norman and Arlene Leenhouts, members of United Way’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society (those who contribute $10,000 or more each year), will donate an additional $10,000 for every new Society member this year.

“We are so grateful for both ESL and the Leenhouts for putting forth these remarkable challenges,” said Peter Carpino, United Way President.  “Their generosity, coupled with the incredible support of our community, will allow us to help hundreds of thousands of people in our region—many of whom have a wide array of needs.”

The announcement was made at Community Place of Greater Rochester—which has four programs supported by United Way’s Community Fund, and is located just blocks from the Rochester Children’s Zone, where need is great.

United Way’s Community Fund supports programs that help prevent violence, foster success in school, shelter the homeless, help people with disabilities, prevent child abuse, and help keep seniors independent.  To learn more about how your donations are making a difference, please visit www.uwrochester.org.

 

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United Way’s mission is to magnify and focus the power of community resources to address our most pressing social needs.