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Atlantic
City—United Way of Atlantic County recognized distinguished
volunteers and workplace campaign efforts at its 68th Annual
Meeting and Awards Celebration, March 23 at Trump Plaza
Hotel & Casino, 6th Floor Imperial Ballroom.
The agency honored Susan Zavaglia Werner, Director of Development
& Marketing for Gilda’s Club South Jersey, with
the George F. Lynn Volunteer of the Year Award. This award
is given annually to the United Way volunteer who shows
an extraordinary commitment to the organization and general
well-being of the community. As Board President from 2002
to 2004, Werner led the organization’s transformation
into a Community Impact-focused United Way.
The
awards celebration puts the finishing touches on United
Way’s 2004 fundraising campaign, led by General Campaign
Chair Keith Dawn, Publisher and COO for The Press of Atlantic
City Media. Lori Herndon, Administrator for AtlantiCare
Regional Medical Center’s Mainland Campus and Major
Firms Division Chair for United Way, announced the current
campaign total of more than $2.9 million.
“Many
individuals and organizations went over and above our expectations
in this year’s campaign,” Herndon said. “But,
we are still busy raising funds and are hopeful of raising
additional dollars to get us over the $3 million level when
we close our books in June.”
In
this year’s effort, 21 organizations contributed to
United Way of Atlantic County for the first time this year,
either by making a corporate gift or by running an employee
campaign. More than 60 organizations increased their support
by at least 10 percent.
United
Way presented more than 250 awards to area businesses, employers
and labor unions for their outstanding support of United
Way through workplace campaigns.
For
the second year in a row, AtlantiCare won the most prestigious
United Way campaign award, the Captain’s Cup, which
is presented to an organization with outstanding dedication
to United Way and the community. Support to the annual campaign
from AtlantiCare and its employees totaled $246,000 in 2004.
This achievement places their United Way campaign first
among all New Jersey hospitals and health systems, and third
in the greater Philadelphia region.
The
UNITEHERE! Local 54 employees at the Atlantic City Hilton
won the Local 54/ United Way Community Partnership Award,
also for the second year in a row. The award recognizes
the Local 54 employees at the casino property with the highest
participation among Local 54 members in the United Way campaign.
Forty-six percent of Local 54 members at the Hilton participated
in the campaign this year. Overall, Local 54 members throughout
Atlantic County participating in this year’s United
Way campaign contributed nearly $300,000 to the community.
“We
are truly grateful for the support of our volunteers and
the many local businesses and individuals who come together
to help fund the many valuable programs provided by our
35 partner agencies,” said John Emge, Executive Director,
United Way of Atlantic County. “It’s been a
great year for United Way in many ways. We are further along
toward our vision to be the leader in mobilizing a caring
community. For example, we led the advocacy efforts to make
2-1-1 a reality in Atlantic County.”
2-1-1
is a non-emergency helpline that connects residents with
the health and human services, community resources, and
government assistance they need.
In
other business, United Way officially appointed C. Patrick
McKoy, Executive Vice President of Operations at Caesars
Entertainment, as 2005 Campaign General Chair.
“We
are looking forward to Pat’s leadership in our efforts
to increase available resources that will go to work in
our local communities, helping to address the areas of most
need and making Atlantic County a better place to live,
for all of us,” said Mark Sachais, Vice President/
Controller, Caesars Atlantic City, and United Way’s
Vice President of Community Impact.
As
part of the annual meeting activities, United Way elected
new board members and honored outgoing board members. The
following volunteers will serve as the agency’s 2005-2006
officers:
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President—Charles Biscieglia, Chairman of the Board,
South Jersey Industries
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Treasurer—Bart Speziali, Executive Vice President,
Sun National Bank
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Secretary—John Emge, Executive Director, United
Way of Atlantic County
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VP, Community Impact—Mark Sachais, Assistant Vice
President/Controller, Caesars Atlantic City
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VP, Community Initiatives—Brian Jackson, Assistant
to the President, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
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VP, Finance—Barbara Lang, Owner, Lang & Associates,
CPA’s, LLC
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VP, Marketing & Brand Image—Bill Parker, Owner,
Parker & Partners Marketing Resources
- VP,
Resource Development—Richard Jackson, President
and COO, South Jersey Gas Company
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VP, Labor—June Winkler-McBride, Grievance Officer,
UNITEHERE! Local 54
United
Way also welcomed following new board members: Ann Arena,
Spencer Gifts; Craig Callaway, Atlantic City Council President;
Donna DeCaprio, UNITEHERE! Local 54; Yvonne Doggett, Casino
Reinvestment and Development Authority; Marilu Gagnon, County
of Atlantic; Lori Herndon, AtlantiCare; Beatrix Ellerbe
Jerkins, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Atlantic and Cape May
Counties; C. Patrick McKoy, Caesars Entertainment; Bill
Parker, Parker & Partners Marketing Resources; Claudia
Ratzlaff, Atlantic County Women’s Center; Trib Singh,
Hi-Tec Systems; Margo Tatum, Atlantic City Convention and
Visitors Authority; Cathy Walker, Trump Marina Casino Hotel. |
