The Salvation Army Aurora Childcare Program has transformed my family. Enrolling my two kids here has enabled me to have enough time to go back to school and land a higher paying job in clerical medical administration that was enough to get my family off welfare.
But that’s just the beginning. Click here and read our School Readiness story.
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.
In this time of need, more than $100,000 will go to the metro Denver community thanks to the 7,600 runners and walkers who participated this morning in Mile High United Way’s largest fundraiser on Thanksgiving Day.
Presented by Qwest, the Turkey Trot benefits Mile High United Way’s investment in three life-changing initiatives: School Readiness, Youth Success and Adult Self Sufficiency.
“It was an amazing show of the collective generosity of our community to see so many people come out on Thanksgiving morning,” said Christine Benero, Mile High United Way president and CEO. “Especially during this critical time when so many families are struggling just to make ends meet right here at home. What happened here today will make a big difference for those families and for all of us.”
To learn about Mile High United Way, the people we help and our work in three life-changing initiatives, visit www.unitedwaydenver.org.
Race Results
The top three finishers for women and men in the 4-mile timed race include: (The public can see their results by 3 p.m. today at www.onlineraceresults.com.)
4-Mile Run Top Three Women Finishers
1. Clerc (pronounced Clair) Koenck, age 22, from Monument, CO
2. Cassie Ficken, age 24, from Morrison, CO
3. Kelly Couch, 31, from San Mateo, CA
4-Mile Run Top Three Men Finishers
1. Greg Reindl, age 24, from Denver, CO
2. Andres Urbina, age 22, from Fort Collins, CO
3. Russell Slade, age 25, from Morrison, CO
Fun Facts:
Study after study demonstrates the close ties between quality pre-kindergarten and K-12 success. Yet, despite the research, early childhood education remains in critical condition across the country.
Nationally, one-third of children entering kindergarten cannot recognize the letters of the alphabet, and nearly two out of three enter without knowing simple pre-math concepts such as longer versus shorter or big versus little. — The Trust for Early Education.
Want to be part of a lasting solution in metro Denver that will help all children enter school ready to learn? Donate your time, talent or treasure to Mile High United Way’s School Readiness initiative and help prepare children from low-income families for success when they enter school.
Rising cost of living, the roller-coaster stock market, the subprime mortgage crisis, and the government bailout have combined to create national unease and a very real squeeze on our pocketbooks.
But before the $700 bailout deal ever took center stage, the needs of our community have always been immediate. Research shows us that in the last year:
If it was hard to get by before, the rising cost of gas and food and just about everything else is making it increasingly difficult to make ends meet now. That’s why it’s so important to support Mile High United Way. We support our community’s safety net of services, and create lasting solutions to help individuals and families achieve long-term financial stability and self sufficiency.
The time for a strong front at home has never been so critical. It’s up to us all to take care of our families and our communities. When we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. These changes have benefits that ripple out to the community as a whole.
By leveraging the generosity of local businesses, foundations and individual donors, your donation goes farther with Mile High United Way.
Show your support for Mile High United Way and encourage your friends and family to join you.
