The United Way 2011 Live United Campaign gave GeoEngineers’ staff located in the Pacific Northwest one more way to support the communities where they live and work. Employees in its Redmond, Seattle, Portland and Bellingham offices gave a combined total of $29,000 to United Way this year. GeoEngineers’ 30% company match brings the company’s total contribution to nearly $38,000 to date. With United Way campaigns just getting underway or wrapping up in GeoEngineers’ Tacoma, WA, Spokane, WA and Baton Rouge, LA offices, the firm’s total 2011 contribution to United Way chapters is expected to rise.
Thanking the staff for its contributions, President Kurt Fraese, LG, said, “The economic impacts of prolonged recessionary times have taken a toll on our communities. The work of United Way and other charitable organizations makes a big difference in the lives of those less fortunate. GeoEngineers is proud to sponsor United Way’s 2011 Live United campaign, an excellent vehicle for giving back to our communities so they can better face their challenges.”
According to United Way of King County (UWKC), in the previous three years GeoEngineers ranked fourth among the county’s engineering firms for total gifts raised for the King County community. Gary Rose, UWKC Resource Development Officer, expressed gratitude for GeoEngineers’ continuing support in 2011. “Again this year, Seattle and Redmond GeoEngineers employees generously supported our community through the United Way Giving Campaign. United Way of King County very much appreciates the commitment of GeoEngineers and its employees to making an impact on critical issues in our community.”
Of the Redmond, Seattle and Portland staff who donated, about half chose to support the general fund of UWKC or one of its priorities, including ending homelessness, preparing children to succeed in school and meeting basic needs. The other half elected to contribute through UWKC to 16 other nonprofits.
GeoEngineers’ small Bellingham, WA office had its best United Way campaign ever, with contributions totaling $5,635. Many of its staff supported the United Way of Whatcom County Safety Net Fund and were moved by what they learned from a presentation by Visiting Nurse Home Care – Friendly Visitors, a United Way partner agency. Friendly Visitors make weekly visits to home-bound seniors, offering companionship over a cup of coffee or help with home projects.
Susan Arrigoni, who led the Bellingham office’s United Way campaign, reflected, “We all know elderly people or family friends who do not have family living close by, and we see the loneliness, loss of social connections and depression that can result. I think everyone cares about seniors in our community, and the United Way campaign gave us an easy way to help them, along with other people in need in the community.”