United Way Planning Campaign Launch
August 22, 2011
The United Way of Transylvania County, preparing for its 2012 fundraising campaign, has announced a goal of $395,000.
The campaign will officially kick off at Brevard College’s Porter Center from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 15. The public is invited to attend.
United Way and the Brevard Rotary Club manned a bright yellow school bus on July 4 to fill it with much needed school supplies.
The event was called “Stuff The Bus” and will also be the theme for the kickoff event.
Gail Alsobrook, resource development director for United Way, said boxes for additional school supplies would be placed around town.
“Hopefully, our neighbors and friends will fill them up for the school supply closet,” she said.
The United Way’s Board of Directors held its annual retreat, led by Dr. Barbara Boerner, in June at the Cradle of the Forestry.
At the retreat the board set the goal for the 2012 campaign.
Last year’s goal of $380,000 was exceeded by 12 percent. The final tally was $426,458, which was $5,000 better than any campaign total raised to date in Transylvania County.
“We have to keep our eyes on the main goal, which is to improve the economic condition of our community,” Boerner said.
Alsobrook said the board decided on a modest increase in last year’s goal because they “didn’t want to appear greedy.”
“Hopefully this year our community will be just as generous as we focus on education, preparing children and adults for success in education, employment and life,” Alsobrook said.
While it is hoped that the goal will be met and exceeded, that cannot be taken for granted, she said.
The funding helps United Way try to achieve its main goals, including financial stability.
Alsobrook said the campaign is also directed toward supporting wellness and prevention and providing access to comprehensive, affordable, quality health care for the community.
The annual Key Leaders Luncheon for this year’s campaign was held last Friday and was sponsored by Transylvania Regional Hospital.
Alsobrook said the idea for a key leaders luncheon came from larger communities that have large corporations thato appoint their campaign chairmen.
“We asked every company to appoint their campaign chairs who would then serve as their key leaders for the current year’s campaign,” she said. “The reason for the...luncheon is to disseminate information so that we don’t have to go and visit all of our employers to begin the conversation about United Way.”
Since the county is no longer a large industrial employer, payroll giving represents just 38 percent of projected giving, said United Way Executive Director Steve Pulliam.
He said the average payroll giving amount in western North Carolina is 60 to 95 percent. He said the relatively small number of large employers in Transylvania County puts added pressure on remaining businesses, retirees and individuals to support United Way.
He said a lot of Transylvania residents work outside the county, and should know that some employers will match their contributions and send the contributions to their home county.
Don Rogers, a member of the United Way staff, gave a report on the completion of new affordable homes and apartments in the county, which he said has somewhat eased the shortage of such units.
He works with those interested in learning more about programs to repair their credit and to find better housing.
A new program added this year is a Speaker’s Bureau.
“Several members of our board have volunteered to spread the word about the Transylvania County United Way,” Alsobrook said. “If your club or organization needs a speaker, we are ready.”
To make a donation or volunteer, call 828-883-8822; mail your donation to United Way of Transylvania County, PO Box 52, Brevard NC 28712 or drop by the office, 101 West Jordan St ., Suite 4.
“United Way of Transylvania County completed the 2011 Worldwide Membership Requirements by its due date and has received recognition from United Way Worldwide!” 
Thank you! our Transylvania volunteers and staff for a successful 2011 campaign - Please click on "Handshake" image to view a short video -
from Ron Kolstedt.
The Transylvania Times, Brevard, NC Thursday, March 3, 2011
KUDOS, UNITED WAY
Congratulations to the local chapter of the United Way on reaching its fundraising goals for this year. Last week Steve Pulliam, executive director for the local United Way, announced the organization had surpassed its goal of $380,000.
As Pulliam said, “Exceeding the goal by even a small amount is a major achievement in this touch economic environment.”
We agree. Surpassing the goal is a testament to the local United Way staff, volunteers, community agencies and donors. Steve Seelinger, campaign chairman, and Gail Alsobrook, director of resource development, led the way in coordinating the fundraising drive. Their enthusiasm and organization were important factors in the drive’s success.
The community agencies the United Way serves also deserve credit. People will give whenever possible to agencies that they see doing good work in the community. Fortunately, we have many agencies in this county that fit that description. Those agencies, including the United Way, would not be successful without the thousands of hours put in by volunteers.
The campaign, however, would not have been successful without the cooperation of numerous organizations and the generosity of county residents. The Eat Out Shop Out event held by local businesses in November raised nearly $4,000. Entities such as Transylvania Regional Hospital, Citizens Bank, United Community Bank and employees of Transylvania County and the city of Brevard also held competitions, as well as residents of Connestee Falls, Glen Cannon and Straus Park subdivisions. This does not include donations from other businesses, organizations and individuals.
To all hose who contributed to the success of this campaign in any manner, we say thanks.