Small companies to fuel fund-raisers in future

Doug Sweeney, president of Sweeney Chevrolet, is chairman of the 2007 campaign.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- The future fund-raising success of the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way lies in getting more small companies involved, said Donald Cagigas, president and chief professional officer.
"We are no longer a region of primarily large employers," Cagigas said Tuesday at the United Way's annual meeting at Antone's Banquet Centre.
Also at the breakfast meeting, Doug Sweeney, president of Sweeney Chevrolet, was introduced as chairman of the 2007 campaign.
Though a 2007 goal has not been set, Sweeney said he is "very confident" the goal will be reached.
Sweeney succeeds Frank Hierro, 2006 campaign chairman, who led the successful effort that raised 2,852,600, some 2,600 over what Cagigas described as an "aggressive goal."
Hierro said the goal was achieved despite a very difficult fund-raising climate fueled by adverse economic conditions and the loss of local manufacturing jobs.
"We deeply appreciate the generosity of each and every donor, and commend and thank our volunteers and staff for their hard work and dedication to our campaign effort," said Hierro, regional president of Sky Bank.
What made difference
He said much of the success was fueled by 103 new companies' contributing for the first time through employee or corporate giving; and 74 local businesses, schools and other organizations that had at least a 10 percent increase in overall giving.
Hierro said the largest foundation gift was from the Youngstown Foundation; the largest employee gift from the General Motors Lordstown Complex and United Autoworkers Locals 1112 and 1714; and the largest corporate giver was National City Bank.
Hierro also thanked the Leadership Club, a group of about 300 individuals and their spouses who make an annual gift of 1,000 or more, whose gifts accounted for some 700,000 in 2006, or about 24 percent of the campaign total. He also noted an anonymous local foundation that matched up to 85,000 in new giving, which resulted in 170,000 for the campaign.
The 2006 chairman said the United Way Family Night at Disney on Ice sold out the Chevrolet Centre and raised 85,000 for the campaign. Cagigas said the Rally for the Valley, a television telethon aired on WYTV-Channel 33, raised about 140,000 for five area United Way's, and brought about 70,000 to the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way.
During his remarks, Sweeney announced that Jim Tressel, Ohio State University head football coach, will be the guest speaker for the United Way Champions Among Us dinner May 22 at Mr. Anthony's in Boardman. The cost is 50 per person, and corporate packages are available. Proceeds benefit the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way.
The Champions Among Us dinner kicks off two days of United Way activities that include the 18th annual Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way Golf Outing on May 23 at the Youngstown Country Club. Registration and breakfast is at 7:30 a.m., with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Team, skill and putting prizes, as well as dinner/golf packages and sponsorship opportunities are available.
Contact JoAnn Stock at the United Way office at (330) 746-8494 for reservations and information for both events.
alcorn@vindy.com