Get-the-Pack-Back Day kicks off United Way campaign
"This is a wonderful team, basically a family," said Tim Trithart, chief executive officer of the Community Health Center of the Black Hills, about the 18th annual United Way of the Black Hills Get-the-Pack-Back Day.
"And in this economy, those collaborative solutions are more important than ever," Trithart said.
The event concluded the first month of the yearly United Way campaign. The United Way hopes to raise $2,306,000 this year. Get-the-Pack-Back Day typically accounts for 30 percent of the yearly total.
"What is nice about a day like today is that it does bring that visibility right into focus so that you can really see how the community benefits," Renee Parker, executive director of the United Way of the Black Hills, said. "Our agencies have a chance … to share time with their colleagues and talk about some of the challenges they are facing."
The City of Rapid City Finance Officer, Pauline Sumption, arrived at 7:30 a.m. outside the United Way of the Black Hills' offices via a fire truck and police car escort to deliver the city's United Way contribution.
"The United Way does so many good things for the community by supporting the different agencies within the community that provide so many services to people in need," Sumption said. "We are delighted to be able to lend our support to this community effort."
A 17-member delegation from Scheels All Sports arrived on bicycles to present a donation of $43,352.16.
"We explain to our employees what great work United Way does and ask them to give of their resources to help out less fortunate members of our community, and we make a corporate contribution as well," said store manager, JC Joyce.
A delegation from Black Hills Corp. arrived with a donation of $195,000. "We are always very proud of our employees at Black Hills Corporation and Black Hills Power for stepping up and being a good community partner," said Chuck Loomis, vice president of operations.
Sid Hodek delivered Butler Machinery's $33,500 donation, a 25 percent increase over last year.
"Other notable contributors Thursday were McKie Automotive Group ($40,608), South Dakota School of Mines & Technology ($20,000) and Black Hills Community Bank ($6,500).
"It is an interesting day," said Mike Gibson, office manager for the law firm of Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson and Ashmore and the 2011 United Way campaign chairman. "We keep hearing about the economic downturn, so it is very gratifying to see the vibrancy of the support level for the United Way. It seems that we often see people stepping forward and making up differences by being more generous. I'm always amazed at the generosity of our Rapid City people."
"It has been a hectic month, but a very gratifying month, too, and to have it all come together like this has just been amazing," Parker said. "None of this would be possible without all of our volunteers and the support of our businesses who allow their employees on company time to go out and work on all of these projects throughout the community. We only have six paid staff members at United Way and together with our 500 volunteers they work very hard to get the word out about how important it is to give to United Way and to account for every single dollar and to make every dollar matter."
