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Chevy Cruze turbo diesel among giving incentives
United Way 2013 campaign goal is $2.5M
YOUNGSTOWN
The United Way’s annual Day of Caring is when people trade a day in their lives to make a difference in the community and its people’s lives, said Eric Wolford, Youngstown State University’s head football coach, speaking at a breakfast at the Covelli Centre kicking off Friday’s event.
The Day of Caring, a communitywide, hands-on volunteer effort in which more than 400 people from 46 area organizations completed tasks for 30 local nonprofit groups, also is the official start of the 2013 United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley campaign.
The 2013 financial goal is $2.5 million, $446,000 of that having been raised via the Pacesetter Campaign that began in July and involved 80 companies, and also $70,000 presented Friday by the General Motors Foundation.
“The work we do on the Day of Caring and giving to the United Way campaign will help your community,” said Becky Wall, vice president of Dearing Compressor and Pump Co. and chairwoman of the 2013 campaign.
Wall urged residents to “give [to] and advocate” for the United Way.
“Imagine what one gift can do. I challenge you to imagine what two gifts could do,” she said during the Day of Caring breakfast.
A 2014 Chevrolet Cruze turbo diesel donated by Greenwood Chevrolet is among the added incentives to give to the 2013 campaign. A gift of $156, $3 a week, or more, qualifies the donor for one chance to win the car. A donation of $200, or $4 a week, qualifies for two chances on the car.
Other incentives, sponsored by Window World, for a donation of $156 or more, are a chance to win a $2,000 travel certificate from AAA, a $1,000 Giant Eagle GetGo gas card or a $500 Dick’s Sporting Goods gift card.
The Day of Caring project for seven employees of the Grange Insurance Claims Office in Canfield was landscaping at Sojourner House, a shelter for victims of domestic violence operated by Compass Family & Community Services.
Grange has participated in the Day of Caring for eight years, said Tammy Lyons, litigation specialist.
“We do it to help the community,” said Patricia Milano of Austintown.
“We get to help battered women ... anything we can do to make it a nicer place to stay,” said Becky Priddy of Howland.
The Day of Caring not only helps local agencies complete needed tasks, it provides volunteers an opportunity to see first-hand how these agencies work to meet the needs of the community, said Robert Hannon, president and chief executive officer of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.
General Motors Lordstown Complex employees conduct the largest workplace campaign, Hannon said.
Representing GM at the breakfast were Bob Parcell, plant manager; Glenn Johnson, president of United Automobile Workers of America Local 1112; and Rob Morales, president of UAW Local 1714.
The GM Foundation is giving $1.6 million in 2013, including $100,000 in the Mahoning Valley, Parcell said.
“The resurgence of GM and the Mahoning Valley economy is not a coincidence. If you don’t support us, we can’t support you,” Johnson said.