CEDAR FALLS, IA – Over three hundred community members gathered at Hilton Garden Inn Wednesday morning to celebrate the 2016 Cedar Valley United Way campaign. Campaign co-chairs, Don and Michelle Temeyer, announced $2,714,525 was raised during the recent annual campaign.
“United Way funded services assist our families, friends and neighbors. We sincerely thank the generous donors for their financial gifts and pledges of support,” said Sheila Baird, Cedar Valley United Way president. “We also extend thanks to our generous leaders of the campaign, Don and Michelle Temeyer. They spent countless hours contributing to this effort of raising 2.7 million to support the greater Cedar Valley.”
“This year’s campaign was another opportunity for our community to come together. We witnessed donors come forward to make a difference,” Don Temeyer said. “Whether it was an individual, employee, company chair or manager – people in the Cedar Valley care.”
“Don and I are honored to call the Cedar Valley our home – like many of you, we have given our time, talents and treasures to the community, but all pales in comparison to those that we have had the opportunity to give a hand-up,” Michelle Temeyer said. “The Cedar Valley United Way is insurance for the future – and it is our obligation that it remains forever.”
Cedar Valley United Way’s strategic investments in areas of education, health and financial stability currently support 64 programs at 34 nonprofit partners throughout the Cedar Valley.
“Our experiences visiting funded partners were inspiring. We came to learn about the men and women that work day-in and day-out,” said Michelle, “those not only there for emergency and disaster situations, but providing services for other setbacks that life’s twists and turns can bring.”
The annual campaign kicked off in August and continued through January. Money raised during the 2016 campaign will be distributed throughout the Cedar Valley based on recommendations from United Way Community Impact Teams. These volunteers review grant applications and determine how the dollars will be most effective.
Companies and individuals recognized during the Breakfast of Champions included:
- University of Northern Iowa
- Principal Financial Group
- Standard Golf
- Cedar Valley IT Services
- Young Plumbing & Heating Co.
- Great Western Bank
- UICCU
- John Deere
- SCHEELS
- Bruce Meisinger, Volunteer of the Year
- Operation Threshold, Funded Partner of the Year
- Bai Carew of Veridian Credit Union, Loaned Executive
- Cindy Bagby of John Deere, Loaned Executive
- Stacie Loveless of John Deere, Loaned Executive
Eight businesses were also recognized for having 100 percent participation in the 2016 campaign:
- First National Bank
- Struxture Architects
- Community Bank & Trust
- Adams Evenson & Co.
- Nelson Properties/Midtown Development
- Lamar Advertising of Waterloo
- PDCM Insurance
- Cedar Valley United Way
For more information about Cedar Valley United Way or to learn how you can contribute, visit www.cedarvalleyunitedway.org.
###