VERO BEACH — Bob and Amy Brunjes, United Way Campaign Co-Chairs for Indian River County, involved staff and guests to hold up giant playing cards with numbers indicating the $2,525,000 fundraising goal for the 2012-2013 campaign.
The goal was revealed at the 2nd Annual Casino Royale and Campaign Kickoff event at Bent Pine Golf Club Friday evening, Nov. 2.
“The need in our community remains high; we continue to aspire to advancing the common good in the areas of education, income, and health. We need to raise lots of money to accomplish our goals,” explained Michael Kint, United Way CEO.
Kint welcomed guests by thanking the major event sponsor, Tony Donadio.
Kint went on to say that Bob Brunjes, President and Publisher of Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers, and Amy Brunjes, External Affairs Manager for Florida Power & Light, have already made a positive impact on the campaign. Almost 34% of the goal, or $829,475 has been raised by early donations and workplace campaigns.
“The annual United Way campaign, which makes such a difference to the quality of life in Indian River County, doesn’t run itself,” said Bob Brunjes.
United Way staff historically makes use of hundreds of volunteers. Many have already gone to work on this fundraising effort.
Campaign Cabinet volunteers lend their name, time, and personal and business relationships to solicit and increase donations. Loaned executives are lent by their employers to meet with other employers and employees on behalf of the United Way campaign.
Elite campaign sponsors are businesses that sign on early in the campaign to keep administrative costs to a minimum and include: Armfield-Wagner Appraisal, CenterState Bank, Croom Construction Company, CVS Pharmacy, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, Florida Power and Light Company, Graves Brothers Co., Gould Cooksey Fennell, P.A., Indian River Press Journal and Vero Beach Newsweekly, Kmetz, Nuttall, Elwell, Graham, CPAs, Marine Bank & Trust Company, Morgan, Jacoby, Thurn, Boyle & Associates, Northern Trust, Orchid Underwriters Agency, Inc., Rehmann, Rossway Moore Swan, Schlitt Insurance Services, Inc., Seacoast National Bank, Vero Insurance, Willis of Florida, and Wilmington Trust, N.A.
Torchbearer businesses set the standard for giving early by pledging to raise a minimum of $12,000 through employee campaigns and corporate gifts.
2012 Torchbearers are: Brown and Brown Insurance, City of Vero Beach, CVS Pharmacy, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, Florida Power and Light Company, George E. Warren Corporation, Indian River County, Indian River County School District, Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, Indian River Medical Center, Indian River Press Journal and Vero Beach Newsweekly, Northern Trust, Piper Aircraft, Publix Supermarkets, Rehmann, Rossway Moore Swan, Seacoast National Bank, and Wells Fargo.
All were recognized and thanked.
Heads of nonprofit human service agencies that partner with United Way were acknowledged for the work they do to make people’s lives better and for showing their support of this campaign.
Businesses aren’t the only United Way supporters.
There will also be an appeal to individuals for gifts and bequests.
“Every donation is important,” offered Kint. “A small amount may not seem like much, but those gifts add up to something very significant.”
Goal thermometers will go up around the county in the next weeks keeping the community advised as to the progress of the campaign.
United Way of Indian River County is encouraging people in the community to LIVE UNITED by giving to the annual campaign, helping spread the word about programs and services that help people in need, and volunteering their time and talent to a local cause.
For more information on how you can LIVE UNITED and help create a brighter future for those in need in our community, please call (772) 567-8900 or visit our website www.UnitedWayIRC.org.