Northwestern Medical Center Breaks Personal United Way Campaign Record:
Teamwork, Fun, ‘Keys to Success’ Say Volunteers

Employees at the Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans have a lot to be proud of these days. After all, they are now part of the most successful United Way campaign ever conducted in their workplace.

The hospital’s 2009 campaign raised $23,047 for the Franklin-Grand Isle United Way, almost a thousand dollars more than last year, and the highest total ever raised in their workplace. The increase is even more impressive considering over 99 percent of that total was raised from employee contributions.

Participation and excitement for the annual campaign is soaring in other ways as well. This year, 206 employees and one volunteer donated to the United Way campaign, 22 more than in 2008. Three of the hospital’s employees - Leo Gadreau, Jill Torrey and Mary Lou Beaulieu - are also board members of the Franklin-Grand Isle United Way.

NMC board members have noticed this enthusiasm and responded in kind, pledging a $15,000 corporate gift this year, an increase of $5,000 from last year’s donation.

“The hospital board was impressed by the generosity of the employees, they recognize that this is a time of need in our community, and we are thrilled to share in the work that the United Way is doing,” said Jonathan Billings, director of planning and community services at NMC.

So how did NMC employees manage to break their already impressive personal best? The keys to the campaign’s success were “teamwork, fun, quick turnaround and keeping it simple,” attested Sarah Adams, the lead organizer of this year’s United Way campaign at NMC.

“I have a committee to help plan and run the events… a lot of energy is created at the committee level, and that just continues throughout the campaign. I send out daily e-mails keeping people updated as to how we are doing, and challenge them to help us surpass our previous goal.”

In addition, the hospital’s activities committee has donated “grand prizes” for employees who make a $130 minimum donation, said Adams. Prizes have included a Wii and Wii Fit System, a two night stay at a local bed and breakfast, camping gear, and two orange and blue kayaks (to represent the colors of the United Way.) Employees are also offered incentives for turning their pledge cards on different days, such as a coupon to the hospital cafeteria or another small freebie.

And as always, the inherent fun of running such a positive campaign shone through.

“For our final event we had a variety of games,” said Adams. “One of our committee members made an Olympic Bean Bag toss game for us, we had a ring toss, and another committee member brought in their Wii Fit system with the Winter Olympic games for staff to play.”
Local community members interested in organizing a campaign in their workplaces can contact the United Way at 802-527-7418, or email Karina Ware at Karina@fgiunitedway.org.

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