2009 Top 5 Corporate Citizens of the DuPage Area
Each year, our corporate partners out-do themselves with their support of United Way through donations, volunteering and community support. We cannot thank those who support United Way enough for their dedication and enthusiasm toward advancing the common good in our community. In order to properly recognize our biggest supporters, we appreciatively announce United Way of the DuPage Area’s Top 5 Corporate Citizens:
1. Kellogg Company
2. First Midwest Bank of Itasca
3. DuPage County Government Employees
4. Acxiom Corporation
5. Flexco
Our Corporate Partners are a very integral part in raising the money we need to support our local communities. Within these companies there are unsung heroes, our Campaign Leaders, who make the campaign work. These are employees that take on running the United Way campaign internally in their company. On top of their day to day jobs, they take on all the responsibility of communicating the mission of United Way to employees, setting up meetings where employees are able to come face to face with what United Way does, coordinating any corporate sponsored special events, and even reporting results back to United Way. United Way of the DuPage Area is indebted to all of our dedicated Campaign Leaders because without them our message and mission would not reach anywhere near as far as it does with their help.
December 2009
This month’s Campaign Leader Spotlight shines on Patricia Diya of Acxiom Corporation
1. How did you get started with the United Way Campaign? What made you want to get involved?
In the past I had volunteered time on a United Way committee which assessed the effectiveness of various United Way agencies in meeting the community’s needs for the purpose of determining allocation of United Way monies. That experience brought to light the tremendous value United Way and the UW agencies bring to our communities.
This year I had the opportunity to lead the campaign for Acxiom’s Chicago-suburban location. Once again I was reminded how United Way touches all of us through the support of our communities. I saw how supportive people were of United Way’s initiatives through donations of time and/or money. The generosity of people is so very much appreciated considering the overwhelming needs during these economic times. I’ve always loved this quotation by the inspirational writer and speaker Leo Buscaglia:
“A pessimist, they say, sees a glass of water as being half empty; an optimist sees the same glass as half full. But a giving person sees a glass of water and starts looking for someone who might be thirsty.”
2. How did your company start their partnership with United Way?
Acxiom has a long history of giving back to the communities in which our associates work and live. A consistent component of this history is the direct involvement of our associates – leading the way. Acxiom associates have helped coordinate an internal United Way campaign for well over 20 years. And as Acxiom has grown, so has the campaign – now being held in 14 locations across the country.
3. Can you please explain a little about your company’s role with United Way? What strategies does your company use to get more people involved in the United Way Campaign?
Because of the number of our diverse and wide-spread locations and our experience with running a campaign, Acxiom is rather successful and self-sufficient when it comes to United Way! We have a corporate-wide campaign coordinator who helps identify participating locations and recruit (or confirm repeat participation) site coordinators.
The site coordinators receive key dates, general guidelines, marketing materials (posters, presentations, tips for success, etc), access to our internal online donation tool and corporate support throughout the campaign. Acxiom’s corporate office also works with various departments to get corporate as well as local prizes donated as incentives for participation. Site coordinators then each take ownership of the development of the location-specific campaign including activities, contests, etc. This team effort works well to allow all U.S. Acxiom associates to participate in a company-wide effort while focusing on making a difference in their own community.
4. How do you feel United Way has helped your company to reach its philanthropic goals?
Acxiom is committed to making a difference in the communities in which we work and live. United Way helps us do just that through their wide-spread network of local agencies designed to meet the needs of the community. Our annual United Way campaign engages our associates — both in time and financial resources — and allows them to be a part of this commitment.
5. What is one of your most memorable moments during the United Way Campaign?
The most touching moments were hearing the stories told by United Way agency speakers about the impact their programs have had in our communities. One agency speaker told an especially touching story about a man’s struggle with alcoholism and how it impacted his life, work, and family. He just needed someone to help show him how he could turn his life around. We learned how this one man’s significant turnaround (as a result of the assistance he received from the United Way agency) impacted the lives of numerous others who were encouraged by his transition. It demonstrated how helping just one person can have such a far-reaching effect.
April 2009
We are proud to present this month’s Campaign Leader Spotlight:
Mildred Perkins
Inventory Control Specialist
Costco, Midwest Regional Office
1. How did you get started with the United Way Campaign? What made you want to get involved?
I have always been taught to consider the less fortunate. If it is within your power to help someone else it’s no more than right. When our campaign leader relocated to another office I was asked to step in as the Campaign Leader for the Midwest region’s buying office.
2. How did your company start their partnership with United Way?
Costco has partnered with United Way since 1984. Our objective during the United Way Campaign is to raise awareness of community needs and to strengthen the Community Safety Net. The campaign presents a great opportunity for Costco employees to invest in local communities where we live and where we conduct business.
3. Can you please explain a little about your company’s role with United Way? What strategies does your company use to get more people involved in the United Way Campaign? As the United Way Campaign Leader I strive each year to increase our overall participation in the Midwest buying office. We begin each campaign with the latest information and tools provided by United Way of the DuPage Area. Our goal is 100% participation for the Midwest buying office.
4. How do you feel United Way has helped your company to reach its philanthropic goals?
United Way has partnered us with agencies such as Outreach Community Ministries, Access Dupage, Bridge Communities, and others to provide not only monetary support but also a personal touch with the Day of Caring we are planning for the month of June.
5. What is one of your most memorable moments during the United Way Campaign?
My first year as an employee of Costco the United Way Campaign Leader invited a guest to speak about a United Way agency that provided her financial and educational support while she was out of work. This guest was a Costco employee; it put a personal face on the works of the United Way.
6. Any additional comments?
This year Costco’s U.S. offices went Green by offering our employees the option to reduce paper usage by pledging online. Over 57% of our employees used the online option. Our generous employees pledged $7,291,408 in the U.S., while $1,903,122 was pledged in Canada. Including the company match, together we raised more than $13.2 million.
December 2008
Kellogg Company Day of Caring
In addition to increasing their total campaign contributions to $315,323 (11% over last year’s total for their DuPage area location alone), United Way of the DuPage Area’s #1 Corporate Citizen, Kellogg Company, participated in their first ever Day of Caring event. Over the course of three days in October, six groups of employees from Kellogg Company painted several group home facilities throughout the community, benefitting Ray Graham Association.
We are proud to present our first highlighted Campaign Leader from our #1 Top Corporate Citizen:
Debra Kurtz
HR Business Partner, Information Technology
Kellogg Company
;1. How did you get started with the United Way Campaign? What made you want to get involved?
I have chaired United Way Campaigns since getting into the Human Resources field out of college. It is extremely rewarding for me and I really enjoy it. I came into the role of Human Resources Business Partner for Information Technology just as the 2006/07 Campaign was kicking off.
2. How did your company start their partnership with United Way?
Kellogg Company has supported United Way for more than 80 years. We have a long history of investing in the communities where we have operations, and believe that United Way is a great partner in identifying and addressing critical needs in our communities.
3. Can you please explain a little about your company’s role with United Way? What strategies does your company use to get more people involved in the United Way Campaign?
Kellogg has campaigns all throughout the U.S. In 2007, $4.7 million was pledged companywide, benefiting 26 communities. We encourage community involvement by our employees. Each campaign is run a little differently but all are inclusive.
The Oak Brook/Elmhurst, IL campaign is set-up to have a Business Lead and a Human Resources Lead. Each year we flip the leadership role between Specialty Channels and Information Technology. A committee with representation from all levels across the company helps to plan and execute the campaign locally. Prior to the campaign, Kellogg hosts a companywide campaign leader conference to share best practices. We engage employees through volunteer activities, events to drive awareness and our internal communications.
Kellogg’s Corporate Citizenship Fund matches all employee and retiree pledges dollar-for-dollar.
4. How do you feel United Way has helped your company to reach its philanthropic goals?
Kellogg has a 100-year heritage of nutrition leadership and a founder, W.K. Kellogg, that instilled the importance of investing in the communities where we have operations. Kellogg continues to focus its corporate giving to support these priorities. That’s why our partnership with United Way is a great alignment. United Way mobilizes communities to make them stronger and has a focus area of health.
5. What is one of your most memorable moments during the United Way Campaign?
One of the most memorable moments of the Oak Brook/Elmhurst Campaign was our White Sox event. This event had high employee participation and was enjoyed by all.
An additional special moment was listening to Amy Liss-recipient of United Way Services at our Oak Brook Facility Kick-off. She was extremely moving and inspiring to our employees.
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