United Way of Southwest Colorado has exceeded its 2011 fundraising goal in Montezuma and Dolores counties.
Bruce Johnson, community relations coordinator, announced on Feb. 29 that the total raised was $105,100, slightly above the previous years receipts. It also was the second highest amount ever raised by United Way in this area.
The annual lunch was held at Empire Electric Association and was hosted by Vectra Bank with decorations supplied by Pinon Project students.
Special recognition was given to the following organizations who excelled in particular ways:
Empire Electric Association for the highest average gift per employee donor ($354.04)
Bridge Emergency for the highest percentage increase in total gift (455 percent)
Axis Health System for the highest percentage employee participation (100 percent)
Hospice of Montezuma for most dollars given by a partner agency ($2,825, which was 91 percent of its allocation from United Way)
Empire Electric Association for the most dollars given by an organization ($18,410).
Special recognition was given to Southwest Memorial Hospital for its support of the campaign and Taste of the Seasons.
Special recognition was also given to Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nurserys Gail and Vic Vanik, for their generous hosting and support of Taste of the Seasons.
Johnson gave a detailed report of the success of the Taste of the Seasons, which in turn was the margin of success of the overall campaign. Taste of the Seasons raised $18,500, up 50 percent from the previous year and 25 percent above the previous high. The active participation by the partner agencies was responsible for much of the success. The agencies accounted for about 20 percent of the ticket sales and about 20 percent of the value of the auction items. The advertising campaign by the Cortez Journal also played a significant role in the success of Taste of the Seasons.
Tim Walsworth, president of United Way of Southwest Colorado, assisted in the presentation of the awards.
All of the funds raised are used to support the 22 partner agencies of United Way. For further information contact Bruce Johnson, 882-2635.