SALISBURY, MD – When Chairman Jim Perdue and associates presented this year's check for $317,719 to the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore on Tuesday, February 8, the amount represented a new record in donated funds by the associates at Perdue Farms' facilities in Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset and Dorchester counties. It also represented the single largest donation ever to the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore fund-raising campaign.
Perdue is the No. 1 contributor to the 2010 United Way Campaign. Perdue associates have contributed more than $2 million to the United Way campaign since 1994.
Generosity of Perdue Associates Shines
Perdue associates reached deep into their pockets in 2010. Pledges of $217,719 by 1,191 associates marked a 12.0 percent increase over donations in 2009. Perdue increased its corporate donation by 22 percent to $100,000 to the 2010 United Way campaign.
All the money raised will help support crucial programs and services delivered by 24 local agencies and more than 50 programs on the Lower Shore. The Perdue gift has brought the local United Way campaign closer to reaching the organization's goal of $1.6 million.
"United Way agencies and programs touch one in two people on the Lower Shore through programs such as Meals on Wheels, Hospice Care, the 211 Hotline, Scouting and more," said Kathleen Mommé, Executive Director of the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore. "Without the generosity of Perdue and its associates, our community would be devastated. Perdue associates help create a safety net that touches the hearts and lives of thousands of residents each year."
Story Sharing Leads to Generosity
Jennifer Cannon, Perdue Campaign Co-Chairman, said a very large, coordinated and dedicated associate committee was responsible for driving the increase in donations in 2010.
“This year, members of the team mobilized, visiting every one of our facilities, making presentations and answering questions," she said. "We shared stories about how the United Way touches people directly in our community and showed how our associates' dollars would be put to work. Our goal was to show our associates that their contributions could directly impact their own neighbors and even possibly themselves."
Cannon said some associates even organized fund-raising events, such as a raffle and luncheons, to generate funds to support this year's United Way campaign. "This certainly helped bring some additional excitement and energy to this year's campaign at Perdue," she said.
"There is no doubt that our associates have a long and strong history of generosity," said Perdue Chairman Jim Perdue. "I am very proud and inspired by the efforts of our associates' increased commitment to helping the United Way and the community. I am pleased to be able to present this check to the United Way on their behalf."
Source: Perdue
