United Way of North Central Florida held its 2012 Workplace Campaign Finale on March 14 at the Best Western Plus Gateway Grand Hotel. The event, themed “We are So Lucky to Have You!,” attracted more than 150 guests, made up of both employers and employees, who watched as 42 awards were given to companies that participated in the 2012 campaign.
“The annual campaign finale is held early spring as a ‘thank you’ to employees for their hard work during their United Way workplace campaigns,” said Kim Faenza, Director of Communications and Marketing at United Way of North Central Florida.
In 2012, $3.4 million was raised, with more than 90 percent of that coming from the workplace campaign. “What’s unique about us is that 100 percent of the donations stay in the six counties that we serve,” Faenza said.
Publix was among the 10 companies to receive the “Best Ever Campaign,” which is granted to workplaces that set personal records in campaign donation dollars. Other awards include “Most Creative Campaign” and “Community Support Award.”
“They are really making a difference in our mission of improving education, health and income for our residents in Alachua County and neighboring counties,” Faenza said.
James Moore & Co. was granted the “Community Support Award.” “I loved the event simply because they stressed the fact that we all play a strong role in supporting the needs of our local community,” said Julia Thomas, marketing manager from James Moore & Co. “It was an honor to be nominated.”
Faenza hopes the event will get bigger and better every year. “We hope more workplaces in Gainesville and our surrounding counties want to take part in this campaign.”
CAMPAIGN FINALE AWARDS 2012
Campaign Spirit Award – Best Overall Campaign
Shands
Community Builder Award
The University of Florida
Best New Workplace Campaign
Charles Perry Partners, Inc.
Best Ever Campaigns – Most dollars raised in their workplace campaign history
Publix
GRU
Enterprise Holdings
City of Gainesville
SunState Federal Credit Union
Campus USA Credit Union
Dollar General
North Florida Retirement Village
Koss Olinger and Company, LLC
Belk
VyStar Credit Union
Most Creative Campaign
RTI Biologics
Be an agent of change – Mission Possible
Top 10 Campaigns – Most dollars raised in 2012
Publix
Shands
Nationwide
RTI Biologics
AvMed Health Plans
GRU
Wells Fargo
Alachua County Public Schools
Enterprise Holdings
Santa Fe College
Top 5 Campaigns – Highest donor participation in 2012
Florida Capital Bank 100%
Nordstrom, Inc. 100%
Burkhardt Sales & Service 83%
Koss Olinger and Company, LLC 83%
Charles Perry Partners, Inc. 68%
Community Support Award – Ran a campaign and donated in-kind support or sponsorship
Front Street Commercial Real Estate Group
The Gainesville Sun
Grooveshark
James Moore and Co.
02BKids!
Subway
WCJB-TV 20
Academy Sponsor – An opportunity for corporations, businesses and individuals looking to develop a long-term marketing strategy and co-brand with United Way of North Central Florida.
AvMed
Cox Communications
Mindtree
Publix
Skanska
