Automobile Club of Southern California, other corporate partners honored for tremendous philanthropic efforts over the past year, encouraged to remain “UNITED4OC”
Anaheim, Calif. – Orange County United Way and more than 200 business leaders rallied last Thursday in support of their collective local efforts to make Orange County a better place to live and work, while recognizing the community’s top philanthropic companies and their employees.
Held at City National Grove of Anaheim, the event coincided with the traditional September start date of many corporate giving campaigns. But, there’s nothing traditional about United Way’s new rallying cry “United4OC,” as detailed by new CEO Sue Parks.
“Today’s United Way leverages the collective strength of our community and corporate partners as we fight together for the education, income, health and housing needs of every person in Orange County,” Parks explained. “Those are the key building blocks to healthy, happy and self-sufficient lives and what we’ll remain hyper-focused on moving forward together, United4OC!”
More than just a fundraising organization, “today’s United Way,” explained Parks, “is a vital philanthropic partner for Orange County companies looking for ways to maximize purpose and actualize the social responsibility culture they and their employees desire; that’s why we’re here today!”
Automobile Club of Southern California Earns Top Honors
United Way honored the Automobile Club of Southern California with the ‘Dimensions in Giving’ award, recognizing the corporate partner making the most significant community impact through dollars raised, employee volunteer services and other key contributions.
“Our employees are very giving people and we’re proud that they earned this recognition for their contributions,” said Wendy Nugent, Senior Human Resources Consultant and United Way Employee Campaign Manager at the Auto Club. “The Auto Club believes in giving back to the communities where it operates, so it’s a natural partnership to help Orange County United Way with all it’s doing to improve lives.”
Other notable awardees included:
- UPS – Leaders Society Award, for having the greatest number of donors contributing $1,000 to $9,999 annually (130 donors).
- Ernst & Young – Tocqueville Society Award, for having the greatest number of donors contributing $10,000 or more annually (21 donors).
- Nationwide, Fluor and KPMG – United4OC Award, honoring corporate partners that embody an overall spirit of giving through contributions of time, leadership and resources.
- Edwards LIfesciences, Johnson & Johnson, and Pacific Life Insurance Company – FACE2024 Award, given to corporate partners that are among the strongest United Way supporters, offering their time, talents and treasure in many ways, including representation on the organization’s board, campaign cabinet, affinity groups, volunteer projects and sponsorships.
A full Partner Spotlight can be found on UnitedWayOC.org/Corporate-Partners/Partner-Spotlight.
This year’s campaign Chair Peter Zofrea, Ernst & Young, thanked United Way corporate partners for their ongoing support.
“I’m honored to lead United Way’s campaign to engage and mobilize the business community in the fight to measurably improve the lives of our Orange County neighbors,” said Zofrea.
“We’re fighting for people like Jessie, who is thriving in school thanks to the work-based learning engagements and internships provided through United Way’s Youth Career Connection program,” Zofrea continued. “We are UNITED4OC to make a long-term difference in the lives of our local children and families!”
AT&T, Ernst & Young, Automobile Club of Southern California, Fluor and Enterprise Rent-a-Car generously sponsored the Rally for Change. NHRA championship racecar driver Robert Hight served as the Rally’s keynote speaker
For more information about Orange County United Way or the Rally for Change, please visit www.unitedwayoc.org.
NEWS CONTACTS:
Michael Suydam
21Strat 949.981.5008, [email protected]
ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY UNITED WAY:
Established in 1924, Orange County United Way fights for the education, health, housing and financial stability of every person in Orange County. Through our 10-year community-wide action plan, “FACE 2024” (an acronym for Fund, Advocate, Collaborate, Educate), by 2024 United Way will cut the high school dropout rate in half, increase healthy youth by one-third, cut the percentage of homeless or unstably housed children and families in half and reduced financial instability by 25%. By mobilizing local businesses, community organizations, governmental agencies and individuals, we make a long-term measurable difference in the lives of local individuals and families. To learn more or to join our movement, visit www.unitedwayoc.org.
