Record Breaking Campaign Will
Bring Powerful Impact to Our Community

On Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at the Campaign Celebration Finale, the Heart of Illinois United Way announced the results of its 2007 Campaign. Campaign Chairs, Bill Springer of Caterpillar Inc. and his wife Margie, announced that the 2007 campaign, with a goal of $9.0 million, raised a record-breaking $9,321,572 - representing a 9.3 percent increase over the previous year's results.

"A strong United Way campaign demonstrates that our area has the available resources for persons with disabilities, comprehensive programs that provide counseling, emergency assistance and home-delivered meals and everyday services such as quality childcare and after school programs. There are very few communities with similar populations to ours that collectively raise more than $9 million annually," Bill Springer, said.

The Heart of Illinois United Way is not just a community fundraiser, but also a community problem solver focusing its efforts on nurturing youth, strengthening families, building self-reliance and promoting health through a six-county region including Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Marshall, Stark and Putnam counties. With 45 partner agencies, the Heart of Illinois United Way supports local programs and services.

By raising more than $9.0 million, the Heart of Illinois United Way will be recognized by its national trade association as a Metro I United Way, showcasing central Illinois nationally as a community that is committed to helping care for one another through a strong network of vital programs and services that improve the quality of life for its residents.

"One reason for our phenomenal success is that we make philanthropy easy and effective. Central Illinois business leaders and the community trust the Heart of Illinois United Way to provide an exceptional return on their charitable investment. Through our strength and experience, we're the shortest distance between community donations and a stronger, healthier region," Michael Stephan, Heart of Illinois President, said.

Highlights, from the 2007 Campaign include new campaigns at Morton Welding, Illinois National Bank, WHOI-TV, ELM, Sharpe Payroll, Midwest Orthopaedic Center, G&D Integrated, F&M Bank, Coldwell Banker Devonshire Realty and STS Consultants, Ltd.

In addition to these new campaigns, more than 60 companies and organizations increased their results by more than 15 percent. Increases in campaign results include Advanced Technology Services with a 48 percent increase, Bradley University with a 13 percent increase, Busey Bank with a 25 percent increase, Caterpillar Inc. with a 12 percent increase, Farnsworth Group with an 86 percent increase, Federal Warehouse with a 45 percent increase, Heyl, Royster, Voelker and Allen with a 23 percent increase, Howard & Howard Attorneys with an 81 percent increase, Komatsu America Corporation with a 23 percent increase, Lincoln Office with a 41 percent increase, Pearl Companies with a 95 percent increase, PricewaterhouseCoopers with a 27 percent increase, and RLI with a 48 percent increase.

In addition, 2007 marks the third year of the dollar-for-dollar matching gift program in which the Caterpillar Foundation matches Caterpillar employees' and retirees' contributions to the Heart of Illinois United Way.

The 2006 Heart of Illinois United Way Campaign raised $8,525,381, which exceeded the 2006 goal of $8 million. In 2008, W. Michael Bryant of Methodist Medical Center of Illinois and his wife Paula will chair the Heart of Illinois United Way Campaign.

For more information about the 2007 Heart of Illinois United Way Campaign, please contact, Gina Edwards, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at 309/674-5181, ext. 234.

 

For Immediate Release: September 7, 2007

2007 Heart of Illinois United Way Campaign Goal Announced
at September 7 Kick-Off Breakfast

(Peoria) The Heart of Illinois United Way held its annual Campaign Kickoff Breakfast at the Peoria Civic Center, Friday, September 7, 2007, at 7:30 a.m. The breakfast marks the beginning of the 2007 Campaign. This year’s Campaign Chairs, Bill and Margie Springer of Caterpillar, Inc., announced a 2007 Goal of $9 million. The campaign will continue throughout the end of the year with the support of local businesses and community members.

“With this goal, the United Way can continue the tremendous fundraising success it has seen over the past several years raising much-needed funds for the health and social service programs in central Illinois. The money raised through our United Way stays in our community, helping our neighbors, friends and family. We asked our campaign volunteers to aim high and set aggressive, but achievable, goals for each of their divisions,” Bill Springer, said.

To date, $871,952 has been raised towards the 2007 Campaign by Pacesetter organizations that held their United Way campaigns during the summer. Other presentation highlights included a preview of the United Way Simulcast set to air Monday, September 10 10th from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on local broadcast stations and recognition of the more than 250 volunteers participating in Day of Caring after the breakfast.

The breakfast’s keynote speaker was Ozzie Smith, legendary baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals. We would like to thank Advanced Medical Transport, Brewers Distributing and Caterpillar Inc. for sponsoring our 2007 Campaign Kickoff Breakfast and OSF Saint Francis Medical Center for sponsoring Day of Caring.

For Immediate Release: April 2007
Heart of Illinois United Way Offers Free "Getting Ready for School Calendars" to Central Illinois

The Heart of Illinois United Way is pleased to offer a new resource for young children – the Success by 6^® Getting Ready for School Calendar. The 15-month calendar is now available and covers the months of June 2007-August 2008.

Early childhood research indicates how important kindergarten is to ensuring the future success of our children. However, research shows that one out of three children entering school is not prepared.

To address this need locally, the Heart of Illinois United Way’s early childhood initiative, Success by 6^®, has developed the "Getting Ready for School Calendar" that will support parents, grandparents, caregivers, teachers, and ultimately pre-school children, be ready to succeed when they walk into their first day of school.

From monthly learning themes to daily activities, the calendar provides a wealth of information including activities, suggested reading materials and a variety of resources.

The calendars are offered free of charge to preschools, child care centers, social service agencies, schools, libraries, pediatrician offices, etc. throughout Marshall, Peoria, Putnam, Stark, Tazewell and Woodford counties.

Any family with children ages 3-5, can retain a copy of the calendar at one of these locations or by calling the Heart of Illinois United Way at 309-674-5181.

The primary goal of Success by 6^®  is to ensure that all children, from birth to age six, are healthy, safe, nurtured and ready to succeed.  For more information, we encourage you to visit our website at www.hoiunitedway.org.

For Immediate Release:  January 25, 2007
Heart of Illinois United Way Celebrates 2006 Campaign Success

On Thursday, January 25, 2007 at the Campaign Celebration Finale, the Heart of Illinois United Way announced the results of its 2006 Campaign.  Campaign Chair, Stan Ogden of AmerenCILCO, announced that the 2006 campaign, with a goal of $8.0 million, raised a record-breaking $8,525,381 - representing a 9.5 percent increase over the previous year’s results. 

Highlights, from the 2006 Campaign Divisions, include: a 41 percent increase in the Legal Division taking the division from $70,937 in 2005 to $100,097 in 2006; a 10 percent increase in the Architects and Engineers Division resulting in an increase from $34,825 in 2005 to$38,281 in 2006; a 10 percent increase in the Service Industries Division resulting in an increase from $275,129 in 2005 to $302,285 in 2006; an 8.3 percent increase in the Accounting Division resulting in an increase from $63,758 in 2005 to $69,098 in 2006; a 7 percent increase in the Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Division resulting in an increase from $693,627 in 2005 to $743,463 in 2006; and a 5 percent increase in the Business Services Division resulting in an increase from $504,192 in 2005 to $529,954 in 2006.

In addition, 2006 marks the return of the dollar-for-dollar matching gift program in which the Caterpillar Foundation matches their employees' and retirees' contributions to the Heart of Illinois United Way.  In 2006, Peoria area Caterpillar employees and retirees pledged $2.6 million. With the match, Caterpillar's 2006 overall contribution to the health and social service industry of central Illinois, through the Heart of Illinois United Way, is $5,207,890, an increase of 14 percent over last year’s results.

"I'm delighted that Caterpillar employees have again responded generously to the Heart of Illinois United Way campaign.  Through their collective gifts and our corporate match, Team Caterpillar is able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of many citizens in need in central Illinois,” Jim Owens, chairman and CEO of Caterpillar Inc., said.

Since September, hundreds of volunteers have been working on the campaign conducting fundraising events or requesting support from local leaders.  In addition, seven full-time campaign ambassadors provided their professional services.  These loaned executives were sponsored by:  AmerenCILCO, Caterpillar Inc., Catholic Charities Diocese of Peoria, CEFCU, Children's Home Association of Illinois, Neighborhood House and Methodist Medical Center of Illinois.

The Heart of Illinois United Way is not just a community fundraiser, but also a community problem solver focusing its efforts on nurturing youth, strengthening families, building self-reliance and promoting health through a six-county region including Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Marshall, Stark and Putnam counties.  With 44 partner agencies, the Heart of Illinois United Way support local programs and services that produce tangible results and make a positive impact in the community.

The 2005 Heart of Illinois United Way Campaign raised $7,764,867, which exceeded the 2005 goal of $6.450 million by $1,314,867.  In 2007, Bill and Margie Springer of Caterpillar Inc. will chair the Heart of Illinois United Way Campaign.

For more information, or to arrange interview(s), about the 2006 Heart of Illinois United Way Campaign, please contact, Gina Edwards, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at 309/674-5181, ext. 234. 

 
For Immediate Release:  August 25, 2006
2006 Heart of Illinois United Way Simulcast is set to broadcast
Monday, September 11, 2006, 6:30-7 p.m.

The seventh annual Heart of Illinois United Way Simulcast will return to the airwaves of central Illinois, Monday, September 11, 2006 from 6:30–7 p.m. The commercial-free, half-our broadcast will air on all of our local television stations: WAOE, WEEK, WHOI, WMBD, WTVP, and WYZZ.

Each year, the Heart of Illinois United Way strives to fulfill the needs of the community in the areas of nurturing children and youth, strengthening families, building self-reliance and promoting health and rehabilitation.

The Simulcast represents an occasion to share our local success stories with the residents of our hometowns. Without the collaboration of our local broadcast media and the Peoria Journal Star – sharing these success stories would not be possible.

We encourage our media partners to promote the broadcast on their stations the week leading up to the airing.

For more information, or a complete list of the stories to be featured in the 2006 Heart of Illinois United Way Simulcast, please contact Gina Edwards, VP of Marketing, at 309/674-5181, ext. 234.

For Immediate Release: August 25, 2006
Heart of Illinois United Way Campaign Kickoff Breakfast Scheduled
or September 8 will feature guest speaker Coach Jim Les

(Peoria) The Heart of Illinois United Way is hosting our annual Campaign Kickoff Breakfast at the Peoria Civic Center, Friday, September 8th, 2006, at 7:30 a.m. The breakfast marks the beginning of our 2006 Campaign. This year’s Campaign Chair, Stan Ogden of AmerenCILCO, will announce our 2006 Campaign goal during breakfast. The campaign will continue throughout the end of the year with the support of local businesses and community members.

The keynote speaker will be Jim Les, coach of the Bradley University Men’s Basketball team.

Other program highlights will include a preview of the 2006 Heart of Illinois United Way Simulcast, which will air Monday, September 11th from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m.

The 2006 Campaign Kickoff Breakfast program will also includes a presentation by our Pacesetter Chairs who will recognize local businesses and agencies that have held their employee campaigns early to get the 2006 Campaign underway. (A complete list of Pacesetters is included in this media packet.)

We would like to thank Caterpillar Inc. and OSF Saint Francis Medical Center for sponsoring our 2006 Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast.

For more information, please contact Gina Edwards, VP of Marketing, for the HOIUW at (309) 674-5181, ext. 234.


For Immediate Release:  August 25, 2006
Heart of Illinois United Way Announces 2006 Campaign Ambassadors

In 2006, the Heart of Illinois United Way will have seven full-time Campaign Ambassadors who are sponsored by area companies and organizations, but are loaned to the Heart of Illinois United Way for approximately three months to assist with several aspects of the campaign such as presentations and training. Because of our small staff, these individuals are vital to our campaign’s success.

The 2006 Ambassadors and their Sponsors are:
Carole Hill, sponsored by Caterpillar Inc.
Bud Lowe, sponsored by AmerenCILCO
Kate Kenny, sponsored by Catholic Charities
Kristen Kern, sponsored by Neighborhood House
Andrea Meyers, sponsored by CEFCU
Christina Mosakowski, sponsored by Methodist Medical Center
Art Oakford, sponsored Children’s Home Association of Illinois

For more information on the ambassador program, please contact Gina Edwards, VP of Marketing, at 309/674/-5181, ext. 234.

For Immediate Release:  August 25, 2006
2006 Day of Caring

(Peoria.)  The Heart of Illinois United Way, along with OSF St. Francis Medical Center, is excited to announce our annual Day of Caring event will be held on Friday, September 8^th.

The purpose of Day of Caring is to join together volunteers from local companies with United Way agencies who are in need of help with improvement projects providing an excellent opportunity for community unity.  More than 20 projects ranging from day care field trips to planting and painting will be completed.  Because our agencies operate on very tight budgets, they rely on volunteer assistance to improve their facilities and to lend a hand with daily activities and the volunteers are greatly appreciated.    

In 2006, our number of volunteers has already exceeded three hundred. Business employees as well as community members have teamed up to make the 2006 Day of Caring a great success.  In teams ranging from one to 50, volunteers will start as early as 9:30 a.m. and end as late as 4:30 p.m. as they spread across the Peoria area making a difference at our local agencies. 

A special thank you to OSF St. Francis Medical Center for being the sponsor of the 2006 Day of Caring.

To arrange media coverage of the event or to set up interviews prior, please contact Gina Edwards, VP of Marketing & Communications for the HOIUW at (309) 674-5181, ext. 234.

For Immediate Release:   January 18, 2006
Heart of Illinois United Way Celebrates 2005 Campaign Success

On Wednesday, January 18, 2006 at the Campaign Celebration Finale, the Heart of Illinois United Way announced the results of its 2005 Campaign. Campaign Chair, Andrew Herrera of MidAmerica National Bank, announced that the 2005 campaign raised a record $7,764,867, which exceeded the 2005 goal of $6.450 million by $1,314,867.

The significant increase is due to a first-time, dollar-for-dollar matching gift program in which the Caterpillar Foundation matched all of their employees' and retirees' contributions to the Heart of Illinois United Way. In 2005, Peoria area Caterpillar employees and retirees pledged $2.29 million. With their match, Caterpillar's total gift to the health and social service industry of central Illinois, through the Heart of Illinois United Way, is $4,587,582 million.

"We know that by working together we can produce better results than any of us can achieve alone. This matching gift honors teamwork spirit in the community through the United Way and within Team Caterpillar," Jim Owens, chairman and CEO of Caterpillar Inc., said.

The 2005 United Way campaign kicked-off in September 2005 with a preliminary total of more than $644,000 from more than 50 Pacesetter companies. These Pacesetters went on to raise $797,955 for the campaign. Since September, hundreds of volunteers have been at work on the campaign conducting fundraising events or making calls on area leaders for their support. In addition, seven full-time campaign ambassadors provided their professional services to the fundraising efforts. These individuals were sponsored by: AmerenCilco, Boys & Girls Clubs of Peoria, Caterpillar Inc., CEFCU, Children's Home Association of Illinois, and Methodist Medical Center of Illinois.

"The results of this campaign will go a long way in supporting our member agencies who have been struggling with state and federal budget cuts, as well as dealing with a decrease in local contributions due to Hurricane Katrina relief. Typically, we are only able to meet approximately 60 percent of the grant requests we receive in a funding cycle. Through the generosity of this community and Caterpillar, the dollars raised through the 2005 campaign will allow our allocation volunteers to continue to make funding decisions on programs and services that improve the quality of life in central Illinois," Michael Stephan, President of the Heart of Illinois United Way, said.

The Heart of Illinois United Way is not just a community fundraiser, but also a community problem solver focusing its efforts on nurturing youth, strengthening families, building self- reliance and promoting health. To ensure contributions are meeting the greatest need in the community, the United Way recently partnered with the Community Foundation of Central Illinois to commission Bradley University's Center for Business and Economic Research to conduct a community assessment that reviewed existing data from the six-county area including Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Marshall, Stark and Putnam counties. Key findings from the assessment focus on population growth, poverty, employment, education and housing.

Highlights from the 2005 campaign divisions include: a 2 percent increase over 2004 for Business Services; a 7 percent increase over 2004 from the Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Division; and 3.5 percent increase over 2004 in the Medical Division. In addition, leadership giving in the Pillars Society increased with 45 new members.

The 2004 Heart of Illinois United Way Campaign raised $6,243,452, which exceeded the 2004 goal of $6.150 million by $92,452 and raised $169,599 more than the 2003 campaign total.

The 2006 Heart of Illinois United Way Campaign will be chaired by Stan Ogden of AmerenCILCO.

Food for the event was donated by: Barrack's Cater Inn, Cub Foods, Dixon's, Donna's Downtown Deli, Godfather's Pizza, Hofbrau Restaurant, Italo's on Broadway, Kelleher's Irish Pub and Eatery, Methodist Hospital, OSF Saint Francis Hospital, Papa John's, Proctor Hospital, Radisson Hotel, Rocke's Meating Haus and Wal-Mart Morton.

For more information about the 2005 Heart of Illinois United Way Campaign, please contact, Gina Edwards, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at 309/674-5181, ext. 234.