Peninsula United Way Offers $25,000 for Tornado Relief Efforts - 04/27/11
(NEWPORT NEWS) The Board of Directors of United Way of the Virginia Peninsula recently voted to expand the organization's services in Gloucester County by awarding $25,000 to the Gloucester Community Foundation for tornado relief efforts.
'United Way's main focus is to efficiently meet the most critical needs in a community in the most accountable manner,' said Ty Joubert, President of United Way of the Virginia Peninsula. 'In the wake of this recent disaster we chose to partner with the Gloucester Community Foundation because of its awareness of what is most needed and the expertise it has demonstrated through fund distribution efforts in the past.'
While United Way partner agencies like the Boys & Girls Clubs, The Salvation Army, Gloucester Housing partnership, and The Volunteer Center have long served the local area, these organizations have redoubled their efforts in the aftermnath of the recent storm.
'We have been in constant communciation with our partner agencies in the affected areas and are being kept abreast of emerging needs.' said Mr. Joubert. 'We are confident that the GCF will be able to appropriately address those needs on our behalf as they arise.'
According to Paula Haggerty, Chair of the Gloucester Community Foundation, 'It's just incredible that United Way has entrusted GCF to be the point of contact here in Gloucester. I know that from this community-wide devastation, local residents will realize the importance of this partnership. We are happy to see United Way step up to the plate to help our community now, when it is most needed.'
United Way of the Virginia Peninsula serves the counties of Gloucester, Mathews and York, and the cities of Hampton, Newport News and Poquoson.
United Way Recognizes Volunteers at 70th Annual Meeting - 02/12/10
(NEWPORT NEWS) New board members were elected and campaign volunteers honored at the 70th Annual Meeting of United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, held February 11th at the Point Plaza Suites at City Center.
With out-going board chairman, William Ermatinger of Northrop Grumman Newport News presiding, the following new directors were elected: Matthew Mulherin, Northrop Grumman Newport News; Brian Skinner, TowneBank; and Rondra Matthews, Riverside Health System Foundation. Officers elected for 2010 included Chairman—Dr. A. Terry Morris,
NASA/Langley Research Center; Vice-Chairman—Robert Hatten, Patten, Wornom, Hatten and Diamonstein; and Treasurer—Elizabeth McCormick, Phillips Energy.
Chairman of the 2009 United Way Campaign, William Downey of Riverside Health System, announced that more than $6.4 million had been raised this year through the annual community campaign and the Combined Federal Campaign. Campaign volunteers honored included Loaned Executives Bobby Dunston and Tiffany Lewis, and Campaign Cabinet members Renee Rountree, Riverside Health System, Louis Morris of Old Point National Bank, and Allen Jones of Dominion Physical Therapy.
Loaned Executive sponsoring organizations recognized were: Community Health Charities of Virginia, Mary Immaculate Hospital, Northrop Grumman Newport News, Riverside Health System, and Sentara Health Care.
The Daily Press was recognized for providing advertising support for the campaign; and the employees of both Northrop Grumman Newport News and Ferguson Enterprises were honored with “Community Care” awards for the highest amount of undesignated contributions to United Way.
United Way’s Campaign of the Year Awards, which recognize outstanding performance in all aspects of United Way involvement, were awarded to AAA of Tidewater, Dominion Terminal Associates, and the City of Hampton.
At the conclusion of the meeting, United Way President, Ty Joubert presented Mr. Ermatinger with a token of appreciation for his service as chairman of United Way’s Board of Directors. Mr. Downey was likewise honored for his leadership of the 2009 Community Campaign.
United Way's Response to the Disaster in Haiti - 01/19/10
Since the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12th, the entire United Way system worldwide has rallied to support those in need. The United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund has been activated and donations can be made in the online at https://unitedway.org/haiti. A direct link has been provided on the local United Way Web site: www.uwvp.org. The worldwide organization has also partnered with mGive to create a text-to-give option. Donors can text HAITI to UNITED to contribute $5 or more. To speak with a local United Way staff member regarding the response to the Haitian disaster, contact Anita Maxwell at 757.873.9328, Ext. 31.
United Way Prepares Agencies for Shortfall - 03/20/09
United Way of the Virginia Peninsula’s 2008 fundraising campaign raised nearly $7 million, yet United Way officials today braced local agencies for a funding cut this summer.
Despite enthusiastic workplace campaigns and a strong showing in the Combined Federal Campaign, the 70 year-old charity raised 5.4% less than last year. The reduction is due to a loss of confidence in outstanding accounts, which includes monies still unreported from out of the area, from other United Ways, from national accounts, and a drop in leadership giving that often comes from gifts of appreciated stock.
Most significant, however, is the reduction in undesignated funds. This occurs when pledges are predominantly designated by donors to specific non-profits, many outside the local area. United Way volunteers allocate the remaining undesignated money to local health and human service agencies meeting critical community needs. A highly-designated campaign means less money to allocate and when combined with the anticipation that some pledges may never be collected due to a lagging economy, Peninsula programs will ultimately feel the pinch.
“This is really not new,” said United Way President, Ty Joubert. “Since it was introduced in the early ‘90’s, the designation option, while popular with donors, has increasingly caused local agencies that meet basic needs to suffer. The criticaldifference this year is that, in a tough economy, more people on the Peninsula are going to need the programs funded by those undesignated donations—-and that money is just not there.”
United Way will experience internal adjustments to its operating budget, and partner agency programs affected by the shortfall will include everything from food, shelter, and child care programs, to services for the elderly and disabled. “These are the programs funded with what we call “Community Care” donations,” Joubert said. “The basic services we just assume will always be there when we need them are the ones most affected.”
United Way staff and volunteer leaders met earlier this week to determine the best way to prepare for the anticipated deficit and local agencies were immediately informed. Programs are funded on a two-year basis and the shortfall is coming in the second year of the current funding cycle. Adjustments in payments to agencies will be made beginning July 1st.
United Way Recognizes 2008 Campaign Achievement - 02/14/09
United Way of the Virginia Peninsula honored campaign volunteers and local organizations at its annual recognition event, held February 12th at the City Center Marriott in Newport News.
Jerome Clark, 2008 United Way Campaign Chairman, announced that more than $7.3 million had been raised this year through the annual community campaign and the Combined Federal Campaign.
Louis Morris of Old Point National Bank was honored for his role in chairing the 2008 Loaned Executive Program and loaned executives Bobby Dunston, Jackie Dowdy, and Taylor Rew were also honored for their assistance in conducting campaigns throughout the Peninsula.
Loaned Executive sponsoring organizations recognized were: Riverside Health System, Mary Immaculate Hospital, Sentara Health Care, Ferguson Enterprises, Northrop Grumman Newport News, and Community Health Charities of Virginia.
Digby Solomon, President and Publisher of The Daily Press accepted the Media Award for providing pro bono advertising support; and the employees of Northrop Grumman Newport News were honored with the Community Cares Award for contributing the most undesignated money to United Way.
United Way’s Campaign of the Year Awards recognize outstanding performance in all aspects of United Way involvement and this year’s winners included: Witt Mares; Western Refinery Yorktown; and Langley Federal Credit Union.
Announcement was made that William Downey of Riverside Health System has been tapped to serve as Chairman of the 2009 United Way Campaign.
Downey to Spearhead 2009 United Way Campaign - 02/13/09
William B. Downey of Riverside Health System will serve as chairman of the 2009 United Way Campaign. Announcement of the campaign chairmanship was made at the organization’s 69th Annual Meeting and Campaign Recognition Event on February 12th at the Newport News Marriott at City Center. Downey has been a long-time volunteer for United Way, having served as chairman of the Board of Directors, as well as in various capacities on the Campaign Cabinet over the past 10 years.
Directors and Officers Elected at 2008 Annual Meeting - 02/12/09
United Way of the Virginia Peninsula held its 69th Annual Meeting and Campaign Recognition Event on February 12th at the City Center Marriott in Newport News. The gathering called together members to elect directors and officers, and honored the volunteers and organizations that helped to make the 2008 United Way community campaign successful.
Elected directors and officers include: William Ermatinger, Chairman - Northrop Grumman Newport News; Dr. A. Terry Morris, Vice-Chairman - NASA/Langley Research Center; Jimmy Haggard, Treasurer - Goodman & Company; Dr. Ashby Kilgore - Newport News Public Schools; Patricia Robertson - Mary Immaculate Hospital; John Garrett; Elizabeth McCormick - Philips Energy; Robert Hatten - Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein; Kevin Murphy - Ferguson Enterprises; Dr. Patrick Russo - Hampton Public Schools; Cathy Williams - Ferguson Enterprises.
Retiring Board member John Race was honored for his service on the board of directors for the past three years.
United Way of America Responds to California Wildfires - 10/26/07
(ALEXANDRA) Brian Gallagher, President of United Way of America, today released the following statement regarding the organization's response to the devastating wildfires in Southern California.
The staff, volunteers and donors throughout the United Way system are deeply concerned about the welfare of all the people and communities affected by the ongoing wildfires raging in Southern California.United Ways across Southern California have launched a united regional fund to help the affected communities recover from the devastating wildfires that struck the area. The United Way Southern California Wildfires Recovery Fund will:(1) Fulfill unmet needs of the affected individuals and families, which could include counseling, medical services, vouchers for rent, utility assistance, or other services. A committee of volunteers will be organized to distribute the funds. (2) Support community-wide, long term recovery. United Ways will activate local volunteer committees of community leaders to review applications from support agencies and develop strategies to address the long term needs of the communities affected.Community partnerships will be critical to the long term recovery efforts. United Way is a member of both the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN), formed to coordinate relief efforts in the wake of natural disasters, and the Major Relief Agency Consortium (M-RAC) co-chaired by America Red Cross and UWA. Within this network, the initial response to disasters is led by the American Red Cross while United Way takes the lead in long term recovery. Red Cross and United Way are joined by partners such as Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), Salvation Army, AIRS, FEMA and many others in this critical work. United Way of America will stand by the local United Ways in the affected Southern California counties for the duration of the long term recovery. Working together, we will be here as long as it takes to rebuild the lives, homes and communities of people who have lost so much in this tragedy.
Hornsby Receives United Way 2007 Community Service Award - 10/05/07
(NEWPORT NEWS) Claude 'Chip' Hornsby, Group Chief Executive of Wolseley, has received the 2007 United Way Community Service Award. The award was presented at a gathering of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Hatten at their Gloucester home. The Tocqueville Society consists of United Way's top leadership donors. Mr. Hatten serves as Chairman of the 2007 United Way Campaign.
The Community Service Award is presented to a community leader who passionately and willfully supports efforts to address our community's most pressing needs. In describing Mr. Hornsby's selection for this year's honor, United Way President Ty Joubert said, 'We are very fortunate to live and work in a community where so many give so much to help people in need. Chip is the consummate volunteer and is very deserving of this recognition. We are pleased to acknowledge him for the multiple contributions he has made in helping us build a better community.'
United Way of America Honors Local President - 05/17/07
(PITTSBURGH) United Way of America—the nation’s largest charity—recognized Ty
Joubert, President of United Way of the Virginia Peninsula or more than 30 years of service as a United Way professional. Mr. Joubert was one of 88 professionals honored at the 2007 United Way of America Staff Leaders Conference last week in Pittsburgh, PA. The 30-Year Service Award was established by United Way of America to recognize the achievements and commitment of individuals who have dedicated their careers to serving the community through United Way.
I’m pleased to recognize and celebrate Ty for his many years of dedicated service to the United Way system,” said Brian Gallagher, President of United Way of America. “Our core mission has always been to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. Ty has been a leader in achieving that mission and on behalf of United Way of America and the entire United Way system, we thank him.”
A graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta,
Mr. Joubert began his United Way career in Houston in 1973. His professional advancement has also taken him to United Way of San Diego County, California, United Way of the Bay Area in San Francisco, and United Way of Pioneer Valley in Springfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Joubert has served as President of United Way of the Virginia Peninsula since 2002.
Active in a variety of community and national activities, Mr. Joubert serves on the board of Riverside Behavioral Health Center, Newport News Educational Foundation, and the Virginia Conference for Community and Justice. He is a member of the National Professional’s Council of United Way of America and is a past
recipient of the Urban League’s Community Builder Award.
