United Way of Elgin announces campaign leadership for 2015-16
Raising $900,000 for the Elgin community will require strong leadership and organization during the United Way of Elgin's annual campaign. To fill the crucial roles of campaign co-chair, Jason Palmer, director of resource development, has recruited one longtime board member and a local educator who grew up supporting United Way.
The Rev. Nathaniel Edmond, who has served on the board of directors since 2007, is used to talking to others about how to make an impact in their community. After all, he has been pastor of Elgin's Second Baptist Church for 15 years and has been an advocate for youth, encouraging congregants to get involved in the lives of our community's children.
Cristina Cabrera's first encounter with United Way was helping her mom, Judy Cabrera, form Youth United Way, the high school volunteer group that is still going strong today. After graduating from Elgin High School, Cristina eventually made her way back to teach English, composition, creative writing, and now heads the Gifted Academy. She is a passionate advocate for education.
Under their leadership, board members will work to achieve goals in increasing participation rates among employee campaigns, recruiting new leadership donors, and increase the overall dollars raised for the Elgin community.
The biggest reason to support the United Way campaign, according to Pastor Edmond, is that United Way of Elgin "provides the best breadth of support for the varied needs in our community. No other organization supports or helps as many underserved in our community. Through the UWE, we are providing learning opportunities for children, food for the hungry, services for senior citizens, and so much more." He adds, "I truly see my charitable dollars at work through the UWE."
United Way's particular focus on education is what attracted Cristina to get involved, as "working with United Way of Elgin allows me to connect with the community in a tangible way while contributing to organizations that directly affect the students I see on a daily basis," she said. "The United Way's efforts to align support services and education demonstrates how each of us can immediately have a positive impact in our community … and (these efforts) are the avenue by which we 'change the story' of the youth of the community."
Campaign volunteers will be working throughout the fall, knocking on doors of local businesses to talk to corporate leaders about the companies' philanthropic interests and how they can partner with United Way to make a difference in Elgin. In addition to seeking a corporate gift, volunteers are asking organizations to conduct an employee campaign with payroll deduction, providing an easy vehicle for employees to contribute to United Way's Community Fund.
If your company is interested in becoming a United Way partner and supporting fundraising activities to benefit local social service programs and initiatives, call Jason Palmer at (847) 741-2259.