South Raises $259,263 for Local Agencies

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Posted on November 23, 2016

Alice Jackson

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The University of South Alabama’s dedication and commitment to area communities has been reaffirmed with the announcement that employees and retirees contributed $259,263 to the 2016 United Way Campaign for the United Way of Southwest Alabama.

A total of 2,618 employees and retirees made gifts, an increase of 144 donors over last year’s campaign.

The total was announced at a recent wrap-up celebration and reception attended by University leaders, campaign unit volunteer representatives and United Way guests.

Mike Haskins, 2016 chair of the USA Employee Campaign for the United Way and executive director of the Office of Marketing and Communications, told the volunteers “we could not have accomplished these results without your assistance.”

“We applaud your commitment to USA and the United Way Campaign,” Haskins added.

President Tony Waldrop praised the efforts of campaign leaders and unit volunteers, saying “USA’s involvement in the United Way Campaign is a key component of one of the University's five strategic priorities — university-community engagement — and gives our employees and retirees an opportunity to help make our community a better place to live and work.”

A total of 128 Leadership Level Donors, who each donated $500 or more, made South the local leader in that donor category. At least 49 members of the Women’s Leadership Council donated $1,000 or more. USA Health Administrator for Ambulatory Services Becky Tate and Senior University Attorney Jean Tucker served as co-chairs of the Women’s Leadership Campaign.

The campaign also showed a significant 15 percent participation increase among University retirees who have been part of the annual campaign for nine years. A total of 47 retirees raised $12,611, including five Leadership Level donors and three Women United Members who gave at least $1,000 each. Retiree Miriam “Mimi” Fearn served as chair of the retiree campaign.

Tracy Coleman, associate director of development and coordinator of the USA campaign, noted that the University’s involvement with United Way goes beyond the annual campaign.

“Many of the United Way agencies also partner with various USA divisions and departments in real collaborations,” Coleman said. “Lifeline Counseling Services, for example, works with Student Affairs to help educate our students on rape crisis, suicide prevention and violence prevention, and at Children’s & Women’s Hospital, they also have a special room for rape victim counseling. And, the Child Advocacy Center also has a room to conduct counseling with abused children treated at Children’s & Women’s Hospital.”

Charles Hyland, 2016 campaign chair for the United Way of Southwest Alabama, thanked the USA leadership and volunteers for their campaign participation. Hyland, a South alumnus, is director of the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System.

Hyland was joined by Clifford Grimes, president and chief executive officer of the United Way of Southwest Alabama.

To close the program, members of the Volunteers of America Community Enrichment Choir entertained guests. The VOA provides many services to adults with developmental disabilities.

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