Spokane County United Way raised 3.4% more than last year in its campaigns conducted in more than 600 local businesses and organizations. Dollars raised in those campaigns, combined with donations from local federal and state employees total $4.8 million raised for our community.

In making the announcement, Tom Stevenson, chair of the United Way campaign and managing partner of Moss Adams, attributed the success of this year’s campaign to strong leadership from a team of business and community leaders. Over 200 volunteers, donors, business leaders, partner agencies, attended the event at the Red Lion Hotel at the Park.

Stevenson said this years campaign results demonstrate “the caring and generosity of our community, who despite the uncertainty of challenging economic times” continues to increase giving to help improve lives in our community.

Accomplishments highlighted by Stevenson at the celebration include:

• Support from Moloney + O’Neill, Northwest Farm Credit, Providence Health Systems and U.S. Bank for setting the pace for the campaign by collectively increasing their employee and corporate contributions by 15% over last year.
• Assistance from loaned executives provided by Avista, Moss Adams, Providence Health Care, PAML, Itron and Group Health in supporting local campaigns.
• Addition of six new individual donors who gave a personal gift of $10,000 or more bringing the total number of Tocqueville donors to a record 30.

Introducing a new campaign tradition, Tim Henkel, United Way president and chief executive officer, recognized the efforts of campaign coordinators from 21 companies. Henkel described campaign coordinators as a group of creative, enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers.

In thanking those who worked to make this year’s campaign so successful, Henkel reminded everyone that the United Way campaign is about more than just raising dollars – it is about how those dollars are invested back into the community to help improve lives.

“Together, our investments help children be nurtured and safe and successful in school; families prosper by improving their financial stability and by providing protecting and supporting the most vulnerable in our community”.