At the end of October, United Way held its third report meeting for its annual fundraising campaign.

Randy Marion Honda hosted this event, with lunch provided by Honey Baked Ham. Rowan County United Way Board President Desiree Dunston offered opening remarks, explaining that although campaigning can be challenging, “what is important is that we all unite and build this community together.” 

Special guest Jennifer Marion of Randy Marion Automotive spoke on the continued relationship her family’s auto dealership enjoys with Rowan County United Way. She shared that she and Randy Marion Automotive have “so much support for United Way,” stating that our Rowan County United Way “has got it going on.”

Executive Director of Rowan County United Way Jenny Lee presented Marion with an award, thanking her and her family for their continued endorsement and assistance.

Jenny Lee also provided details about the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program, which provides Christmas gifts to needy children. The United Way collaborates with the Salvation Army to recruit volunteers to aid families in the registration process. A Christmas tree decorated with these Angels was displayed during the report meeting, allowing attendees to choose an Angel to adopt.

Furthermore, BrickEd provided a collaborative building activity in which teams of five used blocks to construct a “Stairway to Partnership.”

Dr. Shirley Dessler of BrickEd explained that the staircases with the most stability have the strongest base, indicating that good partnership is built from the bottom up.

Dessler said that when building a partnership, “the sky is the limit if stability is present.”

Kaisha Brown, of the city of Salisbury and this year’s campaign chair, introduced each Cabinet member by division. Each member reported on the successes of their individual campaigns and provided updates on their accomplishments. With the community’s help, Rowan County United Way has surpassed the halfway point of its $1 million campaign, raising $611,386.85 in gifts and pledges so far—55.6 percent of its total campaign goal.

• Presidents: Dr. Jared Tice: 21.8 percent of goal met with $28,712 raised.
• Chairmen: Jonathan Williams: 28.8 percent of goal met with $52,185 raised.
• Industrial 1: Audrey Eudy: 91.5 percent of goal met with $45,534 raised.
• Industrial 2: Donna Honeycutt: 51.5 percent of goal met with $16,080 raised. 
• Nonprofits: Dystanie Richards: 75.8 percent of goal met with $ $24,251 raised.
• Commercial 1: Dale Peeler: 61.7 percent of goal met with $25,435 raised. 
• Commercial 2: Nick Means: 36.8 percent of goal met with $22,573 raised.
• Commercial 3: Kaisha Brown: 27.4 percent of goal met with $12,274 raised.
• Public employees: Peter Franzese: 73.3 percent of goal met with $70,078 raised. 
• Education: Carol Ann Houpe: 55.2 percent of goal met with $70,326 raised. 
• Community business: John Drye: 65.4 percent of goal met with $11,908 raised.
• Special gifts: Kevin Auten: 92 percent of goal met with $13,063 raised. 
• Professionals: Gary Blabon and Elizabeth Cook: 69.8 percent of goal met with $56,505 raised.
• Miscellaneous: Kaisha Brown: 69.9 percent percent of goal met with $38,461 raised.

David Post oversees Leadership Giving, which currently includes 138 individuals from the various divisions who have given at the Leadership Level ($600 or more). Together, they have produced $294,883 of the total raised.

With the full support of local dealerships Team Auto Group, Randy Marion, Cloninger Ford Toyota, and Ben Myatt Nissan, individuals contributing $78 to the campaign are entered into the United Way’s Auto Giveaway. This initiative provides participants with the opportunity to win $25,000 towards the purchase of a new vehicle. At each of the four report meetings, three finalists are randomly chosen and subsequently entered into the final contest, which will occur during the Campaign Finale on Nov. 22. The names drawn on Oct. 23 were Pauletta Harrington (China Grove Middle School), Maurice Swaringen (New York Air Brake), and Brandon Weathers (city of Salisbury).

Furthermore, at the second report meeting, an anonymous finalist was selected but chose to withdraw from the competition, thereby allowing another contributor the chance to win a new vehicle. Shannon Bryne (city of Salisbury) was drawn as the replacement finalist.

In 2023, Rowan County United Way served 77,304 individuals through 21 programs they fund. Rowan County United Way also funds the local NC 211, which made 1,807 referrals to Rowan County health & human service agencies last year.

For more information about this year’s United Way campaign or to make a gift, call 704-633-1802 or go to  www.rowanunitedway.org.