NEWS RELEASE
United Way of Southwest Louisiana, Inc.
715 Ryan Street, Suite 102
Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone 337/433-1088 * Fax 337/433-3679
Contact: Lisa Addison
Director of Communications
Aug. 6, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNITED WAY KICKS OFF 2010 CAMPAIGN
The United Way of Southwest Louisiana held its kickoff meeting for the 2010 United
Way campaign on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at the Lake Charles Civic Center. The
breakfast was sponsored by Whitney National Bank and ConocoPhillips. “This exciting
event sets the tone for our entire campaign,” said Denise Durel, president/CEO of
United Way.
Emceed by Hal McMillin, the meeting highlighted employee campaigns and reports from
Pacesetter campaigns. The 2010 campaign goal is $4 million and the theme for this
year is “Give. Advocate. Volunteer. LIVE UNITED.” Thanks to early Pacesetter
contributions, the campaign kicked off with a 10 percent head start. “United Way brings
people together for the greater good – we know that when we reach out a hand to one,
we influence the condition of all,” McMillin said.
The “3J’s, a musical trio of students from LaGrange High School, entertained prior to
the breakfast. Guest speaker Yvonne Manning-Smith, community educator at the
Calcasieu Women’s Shelter, told the crowd of about 300 how the Shelter helps to make
a difference in the lives of women. Students from the Shelter playgroup gave an
inspiring presentation of “I Am” and received a standing ovation.
Jon Manns, works manager at PPG and the 2010 United Way campaign chair,
presented a report and introduced chairs of each campaign so they could give updates
on their respective divisions. The campaign cabinet is comprised of: Manns; Dennis
Tooke; Gene Lavengco, Firestone Polymers; Ben Bourgeois, Turner Industries Group;
Mark Quesnel, Air Liquide; Russell Pawlowski; Business First; Steve Kuypers, Delta
Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel; Kane Webb, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury; Sheryl
Abshire, Calcasieu Parish Schools; Charlotte Gallemore, Calcasieu Parish Schools;
Kane Mitchell, Whitney National Bank; John Van Norman, Allstate Insurance Company;
Larry Graham, Lake Charles Memorial Hospital; Vickie Wicks, Edward Jones; Kayla
Rigney, Calcasieu Community Clinic; Patricia Prudhomme, The Louisiana Campaign for
Tobacco-Free Living; Tony Hulsey, Wal Mart #386; Pat Jones, Allen Council on Aging;
Kelly Sickey; Willie Daigle, Cameron Parish District Attorney’s Office; Tim Trahan,
Williams; Bubba Smith, Amerisafe, Inc; and Jim Mathis.
McMillin wrapped up the meeting by introducing the 2010 campaign video, an uplifting
production that features United Way agencies and corporate partners and set to the
background music of “Lean on Me.”
The following are United Way Pacesetters: Acadian Ambulance; Allen Council on Aging;
American Red Cross; BeauCARE; Beauregard ARC; Beauregard Community
Concerns; Beauregard Council on Aging; Big Brothers/Big Sisters; Boy ScoutsCalcasieu Area Council; Boys & Girls Villages; CADA-Jeff Davis Communities Against
Domestic Abuse; Calcasieu Community Clinic; Calcasieu Council on Aging; Calcasieu
Women’s Shelter; Cameron Council on Aging; Camp Fire USA; CARC; Children’s
Museum; Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino; Family & Youth Counseling; ForemanReynaud Community Center; Genesis Complex Therapeutic Riding; Imperial Calcasieu
Museum; Jeff Davis Addictive Disorders Clinic; Jeff Davis Council on Aging; Literacy
Council of SWLA; NAMI Southwest Louisiana; Salvation Army; Samaritan Counseling
Center; SWLA Law Center; United Way of Southwest Louisiana; Volunteer Center of
SWLA.
United Way’s Victory Meeting will be held February 10, 2011, at the Lake Charles Civic
Center. United Way of Southwest Louisiana supports dozens of health and human
service programs in 30 agencies, touching the lives of many throughout the community.
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United Way’s Victory Meeting will be held February 10, 2011, at the Lake Charles Civic
Center. United Way of Southwest Louisiana supports dozens of health and human
service programs in 30 agencies, touching the lives of many throughout the community.
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