United Way Reports Progress of the 1998 Torch Drive Campaign
2 November 1998
United Way Reports Progress of the 1998 Torch Drive Campaign; Announcement of 1998 'Big Three' Auto Gifts, Challenge Match and 50-Year Cumulative Auto GiftDETROIT, Oct. 30 -- United Way Community Services today announced that $51,024,964, or 72.9 percent of this year's combined goal of $70 million, has been raised. The announcement was made by Edward E. Hagenlocker, vice chairman of Ford Motor Company and general chair of the 1998 Torch Drive, at United Way's mid-report luncheon held today at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn. More than 500 volunteers gathered to hear the results to-date in this year's campaign. Highlighted at the luncheon were 1998 totals from the "Big Three Automakers"; the Auto Challenge Match for new business and the Leadership Giving Challenge Match; and recognition of the 50-year Torch Drive cumulative contributions made by Chrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation hourly and management employees. The $70 million combined goal includes contributions received for New Detroit, Inc. and United Way of Oakland County through a joint campaign agreement. This year, two challenge match commitments have been made to encourage campaign participation. They are the "Auto Challenge Match" commitment of $300,000 by Chrysler Corporation and Ford Motor Company, which is an incentive for companies to run United Way campaigns or give a corporate gift for the first time; and the "Leadership Giving Challenge Match" commitment of $900,000, provided by Ford Motor Company Fund and a team of Ford senior executives, which encourages new and increased leadership gifts of $1,000 or more. "As we work toward our $70 million goal this year, we're not only celebrating our 50-year history, we're building on it and writing a new chapter," said Hagenlocker. "We're perpetuating and strengthening the greatest collaborative effort to help people in our community -- today and in the future." "The commitment demonstrated by the thousands of volunteers and companies throughout the past 50 years is evidence that the standard of philanthropic giving in metropolitan Detroit is truly a reflection of the commitment of its people," continued Hagenlocker. "An example of this commitment is the cumulative contributions made by Chrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company and General Motors over the past 50 years, totaling $824,444,614." Also highlighted today were the 1998 contributions, which together total more than $30 million from Chrysler, Ford and GM. The vice chair for the Auto Unit is Alex Trotman, chairman and CEO, Ford Motor Company and results of the automotive employee campaigns are as follows: Chrysler Corporation: Contributions totaled $6,182,020 from Chrysler Corporation hourly and management employees in the metro Detroit area. This is the fifth consecutive year that Chrysler has achieved a double-digit increase. The Chrysler Corporate Fund made a gift of $1,000,000. This, in addition to the Chrysler auto challenge match of $150,000 for new business participation, brings contributions from Chrysler and its employees to $7,332,020. Chrysler's campaign was chaired by Thomas W. Sidlik, executive vice president and general manager of procurement and supply, Chrysler Corporation, and co-chaired by Jack Laskowski, vice president director, Chrysler Department, UAW International Union. Chrysler's cumulative contribution to the Torch Drive over the past 50 years totals $187,751,227. Ford Motor Company: Contributions totaled $12,981,025 from Ford Motor Company hourly and management employees in the metro Detroit area and includes the leadership giving challenge match from Ford executives. The Ford Fund made a gift of $1,540,000. This, in addition to Ford's auto challenge match of $150,000 for new business participation, and a $400,000 leadership giving challenge match, brings contributions from Ford and its employees to $15,071,025. This represents the largest gift ever to a single United Way in the country. Ford's campaign was chaired by James G. O'Connor, president of Ford Division, and Roman J. Krygier, vice president, advanced manufacturing engineering; and co-chaired by Ron Gettelfinger, vice president, Ford Department, UAW International Union. Ford's cumulative contribution to the Torch Drive over the past 50 years totals $346,027,359. General Motors Corporation: Contributions totaled $8,000,000 from General Motors Corporation hourly and management employees. The General Motors Fund made a gift of $1,345,000. This brings contributions from GM and its employees to $9,345,000. GM's campaign was chaired by Roderick D. Gillum, vice president of public policy and diversity initiative, General Motors Corporation. General Motors' cumulative contribution to the Torch Drive over the past 50 years totals $290,666,028. "I am proud of the unique partnership that exists between the Torch Drive and members of organized labor," said Elizabeth Bunn, vice president, International United Auto Workers and Labor Participation chair. "Our partnership, which dates back to the first Torch Drive in 1949, helped implement the UAW/Ford Motor Company Employees Contribution Plan featuring payroll deduction to the Torch Drive -- the first plan of its kind in the nation, paving the way for workplace giving throughout the country. This is a partnership that symbolizes not only the unity of givers, but the unity of labor and management." Other campaigns highlighted with results to-date included: Pacesetter Campaigns, $811,201; Leadership Giving, Foundations and Individual Gifts, $709,926; Emphasis Units/New and Focus Campaigns, $2,289,717; Metro Unit Campaigns, $12,916,683; and the Combined Federal Campaign, $1,389,392. "In both 1949 and 1998, and every campaign in between, we owe a tremendous thanks to the thousands of volunteers of our community whose caring and commitment make this a better place to live," said Virgil H. Carr, president and CEO of United Way Community Services. "Volunteers are the ones who make it happen. Your commitment to the Torch Drive helps more than 130 United Way-supported agencies provide services to more than 1.5 million people throughout southeastern Michigan -- that's one out of every three people in the tri-county area." "The compassion, courage and commitment demonstrated by our community 50 years ago set the pattern and the standard of giving help and giving hope," said Carr. "Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do to help make the 1998 Torch Drive campaign a success." This and other Torch Drive events are made possible through the United Way Meeting Sponsorship Pool contributions. The 1998 Torch Drive runs through November 18. For more information on contributing to the Torch Drive, or to volunteer, please call 313-226-9200.