Hot, sticky, and stormy weather could not dampen the enthusiasm of over 200 United Way supporters, including many Roanoke Valley CEOs and their families, from coming out to Salem Red Sox Stadium to cheer on two teams – the Sox and United Way of Roanoke Valley.
Forty-nine company campaigns which have started their efforts in the last month were recognized for kick-starting the 2010 United Way of Roanoke Valley’s community-wide fundraising campaign, and many more Employee Campaign Managers took inspiration not only from their peers but also from emcee Natasha Ryan of WDBJ Television and Campaign Chair Jeff Marks, also of WDBJ, a strong corporate supporter of United Way. Advance Auto Parts sponsored the special “Pack the Park” night for United Way, to which they are major contributors.
United Way’s and Salem Red Sox fans also heard from Fern Cone, a UW success story, who was there with her daughter and grandkids. She emotionally related how, through the help of several United Way supported agency programs working together, the family had overcome many trials, including domestic abuse and drug and mental health issues, and were now all happy, healthy, and productive.
The Salem Red Sox, great friends of United Way, sported “Live United” ball-caps in place of their regular caps to show their support. And “Live United” T-shirts were shot into the crowd from the giant hotdog that usually delivers Red Sox shirts. A totally home-grown affair from beginning to end, the special event extended into the game itself, when Frank Rogan, President and CEO of United Way and a former college ball player, and Jeff Marks, threw out the first pitches. Todd Handy, Development Associate, sang a beautiful and simple rendition of the Star Spangled Banner in his clear tenor.
Kids of United Way supporters laughed and splashed in puddles and went onto the field for between innings silly contests, but the game, sadly, was called in the fourth inning for weather. After eating great food contributed by Kroger, enjoying the support of a pro ball club and hearing inspiring stories from their leaders, peers, as well as some folks whom they have directly helped, United Way staffers and volunteers went home tired, wet, happy – and determined to raise more money than last year (6.15+ million dollars!) and help as many other Fern Cones and their families as humanly possible.
By Linda Webb [email protected]
