United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley held a celebratory conclusion to their 2019 Campaign on February 20, 2020 at 5:30pm. Community members and businesses across the Northern Shenandoah Valley who generously contributed through workplace campaigns, special events and individual gifts for the fundraising campaign, gathered to celebrate the incredible total raised locally in 2019 and to congratulate award winners for Volunteer of the Year and Youth Volunteer of the Year.
“We are fortunate to live in an incredibly giving community where employers and residents are willing to do what it takes to make a difference in their neighbors’ lives. We would never have raised such an incredible amount without the support of both the businesses and individuals that live right here in the Shenandoah Valley,” said 2019 Campaign Chair Jay Rudolph of Trex Company.
At the 74th Annual Meeting, United Way was pleased to have announced exceeding the milliondollar mark for the 20th year in a row. In addition, United Way also exceeded the previous year’s donation amount raised, raising a total of $1,065,202, a more than 10,000 increase over the previous year. “At United Way, we have an incredible team and campaign cabinet that should be very proud of their efforts. We have been able to consistently stay ahead of our previous year comparable numbers and increase our overall local dollars raised. I am confident moving forward we will continue to close the gap” Said Nadine Pottinga, United Way CEO.
The event also recognized outstanding campaign contributions and progress:
- 4 of 9 Campaign Divisions achieved 90% or more of goal
- Special Events raised 107.3% of their goal
- Education raised 109.7% of their goal
- Individual Gifts raised 100.4% of their goal
- Top 20 raised 90.6% of their goal
- 3 of 9 divisions exceeded their totals from the previous year
- Special Events o Education o Individual Gifts
- 125 businesses ran campaigns, including 32 schools
- Over 1,900 individuals made donations
United Way NSV will immediately begin distributing funds throughout the spring to area nonprofits and agencies who apply for funding through the Impact Grant program.
Additional awards were given out at the 74th Annual Meeting. Furthermost being for the Volunteer of the Year, a prestigious award given to an individual whose commitment to helping others exemplifies the tradition and spirit of caring. The award was given to Scott Harvard, CEO of First Bank, for his outstanding commitment and dedication to the community, philanthropic efforts, and for leading one of the highest yielding fundraising efforts in United Way’s catchment area. “I could not think of a more deserving person than Scott to win Volunteer of the Year. I am so pleased that the committee selected him as the recipient. He has been a leader and advocate of our United Way for years, exceedingly dedicated and giving, always keeping us and our community a priority.” Said Nadine Pottinga, CEO or United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley.
The Youth Volunteer of the Year was given to Jackson Sirbaugh, a senior from John Handley High School. Sirbaugh was selected by the Volunteer of the Year Committee for his exceptional leadership ability and his commitment to community service. He serves as the president of both the Interact Club and Drama Club at Handley, and has completed almost 800 hours of community service over the course of his high school career, including events like United Way’s MLK Youth Outreach Event, countless Rubbermaid Sales and Youth Day of Caring.