UNITED WAY PACESETTERS START EARLY

It’s never too early to do a good deed. That’s the philosophy of the local businesses that volunteer to run United Way Pacesetter campaigns.

Each year, a handful of local companies work with United Way to start campaigns early, finish early, and be the first to report results to the community. Moving into gear even before the general campaign kick-off on the United Way ’s Annual Day of Caring, these employee campaigns start the momentum to reach the community goal.

United Way Executive Director, Tina Zeff, explains, “We ask our Pacesetters to set a challenging employee goal, building on previous years’ successes, and to make a strong corporate commitment.”

Participating businesses represent a wide variety of local employers, including health care, banking, retail and the service industry.

United Way’s 2011 Campaign Pacesetter Companies are BB&T, Centra Bank, The Dominion Post, HealthWorks Rehab & Fitness, Jackson Kelly PLLC, KLM Properties, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, University Health Associates and URS.

Results of these companies’ campaigns will be reported by mid September.  With these leaders providing early enthusiasm, the United Way hopes to build community awareness for this year’s $1,444,000 campaign to provide core funding support for programs at 26 local human service agencies.