by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
“The City is challenged and the not-for-profits are challenged,” said Chief Financial Officer Mickey Miller when he opened Wednesday morning’s United Way Campaign Recognition and Leadership Breakfast. He then added, “It was a potentially tough year for us due to budget issues, but we were able to make the campaign a success once again.”
The City’s employees raised $385,917 for the United Way’s 2007 campaign — $496 less than last year’s total. But all things considered, the effort was a success, said Joey Duncan, director of Public works and one of the 2007 campaign co-chairs.
“The reorganization of City government was a challenge and that caused us to get a late start,” he said. “The Leadership team set a goal of $360,000 and the City team really made it happen. We were only $500 short of last year’s all-time record total, but we hit 107 percent of the goal despite the reorganization.”
Mayor John Peyton said he’s very proud of the effort put forth by City employees as well as their performance in the campaign. He added the United Way serves an important purpose in the community and positions Jacksonville to take advantage of an important revenue source.
“The United Way campaign is about unleashing the power of the not-for-profit sector. Social services is one area where the not-for-profits can do a better, more efficient job than government can.
“The United Way’s programs are also consistent with the City’s initiatives like early literacy and prosperity campaigns and they are an additional avenue to bring federal dollars to Jacksonville,” said Peyton.
For the second consecutive year, James Richardson, a human services planner in the Housing and Neighborhoods department, managed the City’s employee campaign. He commended the department managers for allowing employees to take the time to participate in fundraising and to encourage their co-workers to join in the effort.
Richardson also pointed out the continental breakfast served at the meeting was provided by students in the Clara White Mission’s culinary program, “and they’re United Way recipients,” he said.
City of Jacksonville 2007 United Way Campaign: facts & figures
• City employees raised a total of $385,917 – $305,084 from direct contributions and $81,979 from special events like raffles and car washes.
• With $78,097, the Constituent Services Department made the largest contribution.
• The participation percentage mark was set by the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission at 87 percent. The JEDC also led in per capita employee contribution with an average of $1,028.
• The Office of General Counsel led in number of Leadership givers ($1,000 or more) with 28 people in the office contributing at that level.
• Thirty-two percent of City employees participated in the 2007 campaign.
• The average gift was $142.
• The City of Jacksonville’s campaign ranks 13th overall in the United Way’s Northeast Florida region.
• The Fire and Rescue Department notched the largest increase in employee giving, up 63 percent compared to the 2006 campaign.
Photo by Max Marbut