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There was a gathering of "super heroes" Tuesday in Grand Island. And, as a result of their super heroics, Heartland United Way was able to raised a record-breaking $1.313 million last fall.
That record-breaking amount would not have been possible except for the generosity of the giving public and the many super volunteers who helped the Heartland United Way surpass its goal by 13 percent.
At its 61st annual meeting in the Bosselman Conference Center at the Heartland Events Center, Heartland United Way honored two community businesses and their employees with the highest honors for their strong community and United Way support. The event carried on the super hero theme that had been used during the 2007 campaign.
The Heartland United Way presented its Citizens Award to Principal Financial Group and its employees.
The President's Award was given to Case IH and its employees for their commitment to the Heartland United Way as demonstrated in their consecutive record-breaking employee campaigns.
The past year's Heartland United Way campaign chairmen have been Mike and Chris Gloor.
Presenting the President's Award was Chris Gloor.
"This year the award certainly honors service above and beyond, but is presented to a collective group of extraordinary people instead of just one," she said.
She said Case IH, a brand of CNH, is a leader in the farm equipment industry. Case IH is honored this year as the 2007 Top Contributor to the Heartland United Way campaign.
"Four years ago, Case IH had a very strong campaign and raised almost $80,000," Chris Gloor said. "Two years ago, Case IH saw a 10-percent increase in their employee giving, which inspired a new employee matching program to match 75 percent of an employee's gift."
She said that resulted in a dramatic increase in the campaign last year to a donation of $145,250, and this year broke all kinds of records as the Case IH campaign topped $200,000.
"Case IH encourages their employees to give a 'fair share,' which is equal to a day's wages," she said. "The idea is to share a day of pay to help people in need and to support the area you live and work in."
Presenting the Citizens Award was Mike Gloor.
"Principal Financial Group does an extraordinary amount of things for the United Way and our 17 United Way agencies," he said.
A total of 92 Principal Financial employees participated in the United Way campaign.
"Principal Financial raises the bar to support employee giving, community service, volunteerism, leadership and is the epitome of the spirit of 'Doing What U Can' to make things happen," Mike Gloor said.
He said that in 2007, 2,503 volunteer hours were gifted by 368 Principal Financial employees to a host of projects throughout the community.
"Principal Financial Group invests in more than their time and talents; they also give very generously as a company," he said.
Principal Financial matched its employees' gifts to United Way, giving almost $87,000, and provided $50,000 in Community Impact Grants in partnership with the Grand Island Community Foundation this past year.
The United Way also recognized the retiring Board of Directors and announced the new leadership team recruited by the nominating committee to serve on the board.
Dr. Steve Anderson and Charla Miller were announced as the 2008/2009 campaign chairmen.
"We had a tremendous year and credit to Mike and Chris Gloor for their super-heroic efforts in chairing the campaign and raising a great team of volunteers," said Karen Rathke, Heartland United Way president.
She said the donors who helped raise $1.313 million make the work of the United Way possible.
Rathke said Case IH and Principal Financial have a rich tradition in supporting the United Way and the 17 agencies the Heartland United Way supports.
"Normally, those awards are given to individuals," Rathke said. "But these two companies showed great spirit and did a good job supporting the United Way."
The Heartland United Way serves Hall, Howard, Hamilton and Merrick counties.
It supports the following 17 partner agencies: Adult Basic Education, American Red Cross-Great Plains Chapter, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boy Scouts-Overland Trails Council, Central Nebraska Council on Alcoholism and Addictions, Central Nebraska Community Services, Child Care Solutions, Citizen Advocacy, Crisis Center, Girl Scouts-Goldenrod Council, Heartland CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), Hope Harbor, Lutheran Immigration Services, Multicultural Coalition, Third City Community Clinic, YMCA and the YWCA.
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