United Way celebrates successful campaign

In 2011, the umbrella funding agency raised more than $2.2 million, with the help of leadership teams in local companies. Most of that money was raised during United Way’s fall campaign, said Chris Nelson, the agency’s president.

Nelson added that the 2011 total was up about one percent from 2010. “And that (amount) was up 3 percent from the previous year, so generally, it’s going up,” he said. “All things considered, we will continue to see increases with the economy turning around slightly, and folks becoming a little more generous.”

This year’s Spirit of Cape Fear award, which recognizes outstanding campaign participation, was given to GE Wilmington. The company’s workforce alone raised $500,000, Nelson said.

In its 2011-2012 fiscal year, United Way of the Cape Fear Area is making 30 grants to organizations in Brunswick, Columbus, Pender and New Hanover counties to support education, enhance health care and extend lifeline services for area residents, and build organizational capacity of nonprofit organizations in the region.

http://www.wilmingtonbiz.com/industry_news_details.php?id=3539