United Way surpasses 2006 Torch Drive goal, raising over $61 million

PRESS RELEASE

Media Contacts
Patricia A. Ellis, 313-226-9484 or pager, 313-840-1948
Megan Bracket, 313-226-9409 or pager, 313-840-4321

COMMUNITY UNITES TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT IMPACT LIVES

DETROIT – United Way for Southeastern Michigan reported that it has surpassed its 2006 Torch Drive goal of $61 million, raising $61,071,767. The announcement was made by 2006 Torch Drive Chair Richard E. Dauch, co-founder, chairman and CEO, American Axle & Manufacturing. More than 600 volunteers and contributors representing labor, nonprofits, individuals, and workplace campaigns gathered to hear the results. Emcees for the event were WDIV Local 4 anchors Guy Gordon and Rhonda Walker.

Dauch referenced the challenge of raising contributions in a struggling economy, noting 120,000 fewer jobs in the automotive and manufacturing sectors alone.

“This has been one of the most challenging Torch Drive campaigns but I’m not one to walk away from a challenge,” confirmed Dauch. “We set the bar high because we wanted to ensure the current and future stability of our region’s health and human service network for all those who rely on it.”

Dauch continued, “I am so proud of the incredible effort made by every volunteer, corporation and business, members of organized labor, agencies and the media who worked relentlessly to help us achieve our $61 million goal. Even with the challenges of our economy, we stayed focused on our mission and the task before us. The dedication and passionate commitment of this year’s Campaign Cabinet never wavered. They are true champions for our community.”

The event highlighted the work of volunteers and contributors including: reports from the DaimlerChrysler Corp., Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corp., organized labor, the Combined Federal Campaign, Leadership Giving and Major and Midsized accounts.

“Today is a time to give thanks for the generous commitment of thousands of volunteers and the incredible leadership of Dick Dauch,” said Michael J. Brennan, president and CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “Dick is an extremely motivated and determined leader and we are very grateful for all that he and the Campaign Cabinet have done to serve the people of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.

“Supporting this campaign is about more than helping those we’ve traditionally considered ‘needy’. This campaign is really about securing the future of our region – finding ways we can all work together for the sustained success of all those in southeastern Michigan.”

Other highlights featured at the event included:

• 104 companies ran a Torch Drive campaign or gave a corporate gift for the first time.

• Leadership Giving Initiatives, like the Virgil H. Carr Society and the Women’s Initiative, foster philanthropic participation, encouraging new and increased leadership gifts of $1,000 and above. Currently, Leadership Gifts make up 23 percent of the overall Torch Drive total.

• The Tocqueville Society Matching Gift Program sponsored by DaimlerChrysler Corp. and Ford Motor Company Fund matches one-to-one gifts to maximize new leadership gifts of $10,000 or more, as well as increased Society gifts. As of Nov. 15, there are 46 new Tocqueville members. In the last seven years, this has generated nearly $25 million in investments from new leadership givers.

• Companies whose corporate and employee gifts total more than a million dollars as of Nov. 15 were recognized for their generosity. They include Comerica Incorporated, DaimlerChrysler Corp., DTE Energy, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corp., and Lear Corporation.

Elizabeth Bunn, Secretary Treasurer, International Union, UAW, expressed her gratitude to the men and women of organized labor. “I’m extremely proud to represent the 1.2 million active UAW members and retirees and the nine million members of the AFL-CIO across the nation. These dedicated men and women understand the importance of United Way and no where is that more evident than right here in southeastern Michigan.” Bunn said, “Many high-profile companies in our region are struggling right now. As a result, a growing number of families who have always been self-sufficient are finding themselves in need of a hand, including our union families. The members of organized labor work with United Way and its member agencies to assist those in need.”

Dauch passed the torch to the 2007 Torch Drive Chair, Troy A. Clarke, GM Group Vice President and President of GM North America.

United Way’s Torch Drive officially ends Nov. 15, but contributions will still be accepted at www.onewaytohelp.org or by calling the United Way 2.1.1 or 1.800.552.1183. Torch Drive contributions help support hundreds of programs and services at more than 150 partner agencies throughout the tri-county area.

United Way’s Victory Celebration was made possible through contributions provided by United Way’s Meeting Sponsorship Pool, allowing donor contributions to go directly toward services.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual Torch Drive and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness. Additional information is available at www.uwsem.org.

###

United Way’s 2006 Torch Drive Results, Nov. 15

The following totals include dollars raised as of Nov. 15 in the 2006 Torch Drive Campaign.

MILLION DOLLAR CAMPAIGNS

Automotive Manufacturer Units, led by Auto Vice Chair G. Richard Wagoner, Jr., Chairman & CEO, General Motors, report results of the automotive employee campaigns as follows:

DaimlerChrysler Corporation total contributions: $8,210,892 (includes contributions from hourly and salaried employees and DaimlerChrysler Corporate Fund) This figure does not include an additional $380,000 contributed to New Detroit.
Chair: Thomas LaSorda, CEO, The Chrysler Group
DaimlerChrysler Corporate Fund: $2,044,300 (already included in the total above)

Ford Motor Company total contributions: $11,650,641 (includes contributions from Ford’s hourly and salaried employees, and Ford Fund.) This figure does not include an additional $380,000 contributed to New Detroit.
Co-chair: Cisco Codina, group vice president, Ford Motor Company; and Mark Fields, president of the Americas
Ford Fund: $2,000,000 (already included in above total)

General Motors Corporation total contributions: $6,166,287 (includes contributions from GM’s hourly and management employees. This figure does not include an additional $350,000 contributed to New Detroit.
Chair: Jill Lajdziak, general manager, Saturn Division, General Motors
The General Motors Foundation: $1,172,250 (already included in the above total)

Other million-dollar campaigns include:

Comerica Incorporated total contributions: $2,555,766
Total includes Comerica’s corporate gift, as well as contributions from local area employees.

DTE Energy total contributions: $1,503,375 (reported-to-date)
Total includes contributions from DTE Energy hourly and management employees, as well as the corporate gift, which is a 50% match of the employee giving.

Lear Corporation total contributions: $1,305,580
This includes $1,076,580 in contributions from Lear Corporation’s hourly and management employees.

Combined Federal Campaign total contributions raised: $3,372,628
Includes all federal campaigns, military, civilian and postal campaigns.
Vice Chair: Michael Wheeler, director, Medical Center Veterans Affairs


LEADERSHIP GIVING AND FOUNDATIONS: Total contributions raised: $1,878,504
Includes contributions from Tocqueville Leadership Giving members who contribute $10,000 and above, company retirees, local foundations and individuals giving outside the traditional workplace campaign.
Chair: Tom Dekar, regional managing partner, Deloite & Touche


MAJOR ACCOUNT UNITS: Total contributions raised: $22,801,741
Includes industrial, commercial and service accounts.
Vice Chair: Tim Manganello, chairman & CEO, BorgWarner

Industrial Accounts, chair, Tony Brown, group vice president, Global Purchasing, Ford Motor Co.: $6,653,183

Commercial Accounts, chair, Glenn C. Hansen, senior vice president, Federal Reserve Bank $5,745,556

Service Accounts, chair, David Hunke, CEO, Detroit Newspapers Partnership and publisher, Detroit Free Press $6,512,928

Professions Accounts, chair, Steven Roach, practice group leader, Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, $3,890,074

MIDSIZE ACCOUNT UNITS, SMALL BUSINESS AND RESIDENTIAL: Total contributions raised: $4,930,964

Vice chair: W. Frank Fountain, senior vice president, External Affairs & Public Policy, DaimlerChrysler

Industrial Accounts (Ford), chair, Andrew Hinkly, executive director of Americas, Ford Motor Co., $591,851

Industrial Accounts (Lear), chair, Joe Sefcik, vice president, Global Purchasing, Lear Corporation, $557,478

Commercial Accounts, chair, Greg Kosch, president & CEO, Fifth Third Bank, $586,305
Service Accounts, chair, Jennifer Shroeger, vice president, Metro Detroit District, United Parcel Service, $591,071

Professions Accounts, Joseph Vitale, Jr., partner, Deloite Consulting, $597,870

Nonprofit Accounts, co-chair, Richard Williamson, executive director, Boy Scouts of America; and Raquel Thueme, president & CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters Metropolitan Detroit, $813,527

Public Sector Accounts, co-chairs, L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive; Robert Ficano, Wayne County Executive; and Hon. Nancy White, chair, Macomb County Board of Commissioners, $543,785

Direct Mail/Telemarketing, Eresteen Williams, $543,366

NEW DETROIT FUND: Total contributions raised: $1,975,850
This campaign raises funds for operating costs for New Detroit Inc. whose area of focus are youth development, economic equity and racial justice and cultural collaboration.
Chair: John Rakolta, chairman and CEO, Walbridge Aldinger

Total raised in the 2006 Torch Drive Campaign as of Nov. 15: $61,071,767

###