Click here for more on Bridging the Gap at Mile High United Way, a resource for children aging out of the foster care system.

Workplace campaigns are the backbone and bedrock of United Way contributions. We’re particularly grateful for the donations made by these companies and their employees in this time of great need in our community.  

We offer our thanks to the following:

• National Renewable Energy Laboratories completed its workplace campaign this week. NREL employees pledged just over $52,000 to Mile High United Way, a 6 percent increase over last year.
• Johns Manville’s 2008 employee campaign raised a total of $358,000, a 9 percent increase over 2007.
• Mechanical Solutions completed its first Mile High United Way campaign and raised over $3,000.

Thank you! You’re creating lasting solutions for more people than you can imagine.

This is my favorite time of year!  It’s the time to spend with family and friends.  The time to reflect on all that is good in our lives.  But, this year, for so many of our neighbors, it’s also a time of financial crisis.

Mile High United Way and our community partners are experiencing record numbers of families needing help this year with rent, food, clothing and utility bills.  The economic rug has been pulled out from under our country and our community.  It’s up to those of us who can help, to help more.

This holiday season please remember those who are struggling to make ends meet and do your best to give a little bit more. 

The community in which we live is only as strong as we make it.  Together we can do more.  Help now.  Give today. 

Best wishes for a healthy and peaceful New Year,

Christine Benero
President and CEO
Mile High United Way
Denver, Colorado

Despite tough economic times, roughly 160 employees in PCL’s Denver district donated $1,063,216.70 to Mile High United Way, with additional pledges still coming in.

Kicking off its annual United Way fundraiser on November 3, PCL Denver far surpassed its $400,000 goal by collecting more than $1 million in donations and company-matched dollars in less than two weeks.

“With so many new families finding themselves struggling during these tough times, the need for charitable giving is greater than it’s ever been before,” said Christine Benero, president and CEO of Mile High United Way.  “PCL Construction has stepped up in a tremendous fashion and demonstrated it wants to create a better future for these families.  Its $1 million gift from less than 200 employees, is inspirational, especially during these challenging times.”

To help build excitement around its fundraiser, PCL offered incentives and hosted events including one week’s paid vacation, celebration dinners for $1,000 plus donors and tickets to Nuggets games.

“We had raffle drawings for first-time donors and drawings for those who increased their contribution from last year,” said Peter Beaupré, president and COO for PCL’s U.S. operations. “Our employees also created a clever in-office golf event with prizes for the best decorated of the 18 holes, and that event alone helped us raise more than $700. We had a great time together while contributing and raising awareness for a great cause. We are pleased to break our company record this year and surpass the $1 million milestone.”

PCL Denver began partnering with Mile High United Way in 1998, giving $34,838 in employee plus company-matched contributions. By 2007, that number increased to $904,000.

A portion of PCL’s gift will fulfill the company’s pledge last year to raise $1 million over four years for Lights On After School.   Lights on After School is designed to reduce middle and high school drop-out rates and increase academic performance in the Denver Public Schools through quality after-school programs for Denver’s at-risk youth.

“As our largest corporate sponsor of the Lights On After School initiative, PCL is a key player in our fight to keep Colorado’s kids in school and offer them a brighter future,” Benero said.

Together with Mile High United Way, Mayor Hickenlooper today unveiled a viral online grassroots appeal intended to raise awareness about homelessness in Denver and encourage generous giving to those in need this holiday season.

Also at the press conference: Suncor Energy launched a matching contribution campaign of up to $50,000 for any donations made from now until January 29.  Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel also donated over 2,000 gently used blankets and pillows to organizations serving the homeless in Denver. 

“There is no good time to be homeless in Denver,” said Mayor John Hickenlooper.  “But it is more important than ever that Denver now embrace our ten-year plan to end homelessness and remain focused on housing, services and prevention to minimize the impact of this economy.”

Visit ThisIsDenversRoadHome.org and help Denver’s Road Home reach thousands of new people in the community to educate them about Denver’s ten-year plan to end homelessness.

The centerpiece of the website is a short video that we encourage you to spread virally via email and the Internet.  Included on the new website is an enhanced fundraising tool that allows individuals to purchase decals to demonstrate their support for the initiative.

“With so many people in need, the decals are a great, visual way for individuals and organizations to show how much they care and to help generate resources to provide housing and services to those in need,” said Christine Benero, president and CEO of Mile High United Way.