United Way Surpasses 2004 Torch Drive Goal; Community's Support Helps Hundreds of Programs and Services Throughout Metro Detroit

DETROIT, Nov. 18, 2004 -- United Way Community Services announced today that it surpassed its $64.5 million goal by raising $64,516,717 for the 2004 Torch Drive, which includes funds raised for New Detroit Inc. The results were reported to more than 1,000 volunteers and investors at United Way's Victory Celebration, held at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. Emcee for the event was Bill Spencer, consumer and investigative reporter, WXYZ-TV Channel 7.

Serving as General Chair for the 2004 Torch Drive was UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. Joe Laymon, group vice president, Corporate Human Resources, Ford Motor Company, was first vice chair.

"This is a great victory for our entire community," said Gettelfinger. "Although we knew of the challenges before us, we didn't let that stop us from setting our sights high. You have generously responded with your precious gifts of time, talent and resources to make this successful campaign one that benefits thousands of lives in metro Detroit."

The event highlighted the work of volunteers and investors including: reports from the DaimlerChrysler Corp., Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corp., organized labor, the Combined Federal Campaign, Leadership Giving and Pacesetter companies (those companies that agree to run early workplace campaigns and increase their goal by at least 10 percent over the previous year.)

"We are celebrating the collective power of community today," said Michael J. Brennan, president, United Way Community Services. "Every sector of our tri-county community takes part in this success. A great circle of corporate and community leaders, volunteers, investors, partner agencies, organized labor and the media have embraced the United Way Torch Drive." He added that special appreciation goes to Ron Gettelfinger and the Campaign Cabinet for their vision and unrelenting efforts.

Brennan continued, "Chances are there are many who don't realize how United Way and its partner agencies impact our families, our neighbors and our communities. But I can assure you that each investment to United Way is an investment in our community -- resulting in marked progress in nurturing children and youth, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and promoting health and wellness."

Other highlights featured at the event included:

* The Loaned Executive Program, chaired by William Clay Ford, Jr., chairman & CEO, Ford Motor Company, secured nearly 50 loaned executives for this year's campaign, compared to 13 last year.

* Leadership Giving Initiatives, like the Virgil H. Carr Society, United Way's African-American Leadership Giving Initiative, and the Women's Initiative, which foster philanthropic participation, encouraging new and increased leadership gifts of $1,000 and above. Currently, Leadership Gifts make up 20 percent of the overall Torch Drive total.

* The Alexis de Tocqueville Society Leadership Giving Challenge Match by the Ford Motor Company Fund, DaimlerChrysler Corp. and General Motors matched new leadership gifts of $10,000 or more, as well as increased Society gifts. In the last six years, this has generated nearly $20 million in investments from new leadership givers. United Way also reported 11 new members in its Law Firm Initiative, seeking new Alexis de Tocqueville Society members among area attorneys.

* Companies whose corporate and employee gifts total more than a million dollars as of Nov. 18 were recognized for their generosity. They include Comerica Incorporated, DaimlerChrysler Corp., DTE Energy, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corp., Lear Corp. and Visteon Automotive.

Elizabeth Bunn, secretary-treasurer, International Union, United Auto Workers, expressed her gratitude to the men and women of organized labor. "Just as we have a long tradition of working together in solidarity, so too is our history of working with United Way, understanding the importance of collective action toward a common goal of improving lives."

The celebration also recapped the success of United Way's Days of Caring, which engaged 1,200 volunteers who helped build wheelchair ramps, cleaned parks, organized activities for senior citizens, packed food for area food pantries and renovated housing for low-income residents.

United Way's Victory Celebration was made possible through contributions provided by United Way's Meeting Sponsorship Pool, allowing donor contributions to go directly toward services. Anyone who would like to invest in United Way by giving time or a financial contribution can call 313-226-9200 or log on to http://www.uwcs.org/ .

United Way Community Services improves lives throughout Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way Community Services provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual Torch Drive. United Way impacts local people each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness. Additional information is available at http://www.uwcs.org/ .

United Way's 2004 Torch Drive Results, Nov. 18

The following totals include dollars raised as of Nov. 18 in the 2004 Torch Drive Campaign.

MILLION DOLLAR CAMPAIGNS

Automotive Manufacturer Units, led by Auto Vice Chair Dr. Dieter Zetsche, president & CEO, DaimlerChrysler Corp., report results of the automotive employee campaigns as follows:

  DaimlerChrysler Corporation total contributions: $6,966,616
  Chair: Thomas LaSorda, chief operating officer

DaimlerChrysler Corporate Fund: $1,850,769 (already included in the total above)

Ford Motor Company total contributions: $13,180,933 (includes contributions from Ford's hourly and salaried employees, and Ford Fund.)

Co-chairs: Joe Laymon, group vice president, Corporate Human Resources; Anne Stevens, group vice president, Canada, Mexico and South America; and Steve Lyons, president, Ford Division

Ford Fund: $2,765,000 (already included in above total)

General Motors Corporation total contributions: $7,696,852 (includes contributions from GM's hourly and management employees. GM's total is included among Pacesetter companies.)

Chair: John Buttermore, vice president, Labor Relations

The General Motors Foundation: $1,650,237 (already included in the above total)

  Other million-dollar campaigns include:

  Comerica Incorporated total contributions: $2,264,706

Total includes Comerica's corporate gift, as well as contributions from local area employees.

DTE Energy total contributions: $1,566,608 (reported-to-date)

Total includes contributions from DTE Energy hourly and management employees, as well as the corporate gift, which is a 50% match of the employee giving.

Lear Corp. total contributions: $1,500,000

This includes contributions from Lear Corp. hourly and management employees, as well as Lear's corporate gift. Lear reports that 100% of its officers have contributed at the Alexis de Tocqueville level with gifts of $10,000 and above.

Visteon Automotive, Inc. total contribution: $1,262,947

This includes contributions from Visteon's hourly and management employees.

  Combined Federal Campaign total contributions raised: $3,378,722
  Includes all federal campaigns, military, civilian and postal campaigns.

Vice Chair: Efrain "Tony" Alvarado, Jr., plant manager, Bulk Mail Center, U.S. Postal Service

PUBLIC SECTOR UNIT: Total contributions raised: $600,215

Includes government campaigns from Wayne and Oakland counties and the City of Detroit.

Vice Chairs: Richard E. Williams, Jr., director, Community & Minority Affairs, Oakland County Executive Administration; The Honorable Kwame Kilpatrick, Mayor, City of Detroit; Robert Ficano, Wayne County Executive; L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive; and Jennifer Granholm, Governor, State of Michigan.

  SCHOOLS, NEW BUSINESS AND NONPROFITS:
  Total contributions raised:  $1,801,762

Includes Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Public Schools; New Business Development and Nonprofits.

Chairs: Stephen R. Polk, chairman and CEO, R. L. Polk; and Benjamin A. Jones, president & CEO, National Counsel on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency - Greater Detroit

LEADERSHIP GIVING: The Alexis de Tocqueville committee encourages individuals to make a contribution of $10,000 and above and works to encourage companies to include a Leadership Giving solicitation as part of their United Way employee campaign.

Vice Chair: Greg C. Smith, executive vice president & president of the Americas, Ford Motor Co.

  RETIREES, INDIVIDUALS AND FOUNDATIONS:
  Total contributions raised: $2,706,540

Includes contributions from company retirees, local foundations and individuals giving outside the traditional workplace campaign.

  Chair: Ernestine Williams

  MAJOR AND MIDSIZE ACCOUNT UNITS: Total contributions raised: $25,951,447
  Includes industrial, commercial and service accounts.
  Vice Chair: Michael Johnston, president & CEO, Visteon Corp.

Industrial Accounts, chair, Tony Brown, senior vice president, Global Purchasing, Ford Motor Co.: $9,507,259

Commercial Accounts, chair, Salvatore (Sam) Gianino, president, National City Bank: $10,573,209

Service Accounts, chair, William E. Luse, senior location executive, IBM Corp.: $5,870,979

PACESETTER COMPANIES: Total contributions raised: $10,457,278 (included in Major and Midsize total)

Includes 31 companies who ran early campaigns and set a goal equal to a 10 percent increase in employee giving over the previous year.

  Chair: Gary L. Cowger, president, General Motors North America

  NEW DETROIT FUND: Total contributions raised: $2,052,750

This campaign raises funds for operating costs for New Detroit Inc. whose area of focus are youth development, economic equity and racial justice and cultural collaboration.

  Chair: John Rakolta, chairman and CEO, Walbridge Aldinger

  Goal for 2004 Torch Drive: $64.5 million
  Total raised in the 2004 Torch Drive Campaign: $64,516,717