UNITE Newsletter | Summer 2017

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UNITE NEWSLETTER | SUMMER 2017

Annual campaign ‘Grow South, Grow Strong’ volunteer initiative

Grow South, Grow Strong, an initiative focused on volunteer projects to bolster student success in Dallas’ southern sector, was unveiled by Celanese Corporation as part of the company’s leadership of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ 2016-17 Annual Campaign. Celanese has committed more than $1.1 million to the multi-year initiative. Grow South, Grow Strong projects are designed to remove barriers, expand opportunities and unite community leaders and corporations in assisting schools, non-profit organizations and parents. “United Way is changing lives in our community by enriching education and providing families with a more secure future,” said Mark Rohr, United Way’s 2016-2017 Annual Campaign Chair and Chairman and CEO of Celanese Corporation.

“By expanding community engagement opportunities and focusing on volunteer efforts, we can help families and schools in southern Dallas reach their full potential.”

• Dr. Seuss Reading Day, which brought volunteer readers to schools throughout Dallas ISD, including schools in southern Dallas;

Grow South, Grow Strong aims to increase the number of volunteer hours in southern Dallas by creating meaningful and rewarding engagement opportunities. The initiative has helped to bring more than 100 volunteer projects to southern Dallas, almost 80,000 volunteer hours, and 189 participating corporations since the program was launched on March 7.

• Bryan Elementary Beautification, a volunteer project at a southern Dallas elementary school; and the • Vermont Village Painting Project, where volunteers painted and cleaned an elderly woman’s house in the Cedar Crest Neighborhood.

A few examples of the many projects thus far include: • Pipeline to Promise: Halftime Back to School Fair in Fair Park, in which United Way partnered with the State Fair of Texas and organizations to provide 2,000 backpacks, hygiene kits, job opportunities, and FASFA/ TASFA financial aid application support; • College and Career Fair at Paul Quinn College, which attracted students from high schools throughout southern Dallas and elsewhere;

“We have a projected elementary schools volunteer gap of 2,000-plus in our city’s southern sector,” said Dr. Michael Hinojosa, Dallas ISD Superintendent. “This generous commitment by Celanese and United Way will begin bridging that gap to prepare and inspire students in southern Dallas. These kids need to know how much this community cares about them.” By collaboratively building awareness and a network of committed volunteers, Grow South, Grow Strong strives to equip and empower students with support critical to their success.

Troy Aikman to chair United Way campaign Aikman’s history with United Way stretches back to his playing days when he was part of the nonprofit’s national partnership with the NFL. In 2011, he and Dr. Kenneth Cooper launched the Healthy Zone Schools Recognition Program®, a partnership between United Way and The Cooper Institute® to fight childhood obesity at the school level.

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas announced that Dallas Cowboys legend Troy Aikman will lead United Way’s 2017-18 fundraising campaign. The announcement was made as part of the 25th Anniversary of the Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champions benefitting United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, held on February 25 at Gilley’s Dallas. “United Way is an organization I’ve been involved with for a very long time, and I believe in its work to enrich education, improve health and wellness and provide families with secure futures,” said Aikman. “I’m proud to serve in this role and work side by side with outstanding business leaders in North Texas to meet our goals.”

IN THIS

ISSUE

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Alliance Data Funds Grants Panel United Way, TI and #BigDGives

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In 2012, Aikman partnered with Roger Staubach to launch the $25,000 circle of the Ruth Sharp Altshuler Tocqueville Society. In 2014-15, Aikman served as co-chair of United Way’s 90th Anniversary Celebration with Charlotte Jones Anderson. He cemented his relationship with United Way in 2016 by committing gifts totaling $1 million to the Unite Forever campaign to establish United Way’s first-ever donor-advised fund. The 25th Anniversary of the Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champions was organized by Aikman to honor teammates and coaches from Super Bowls XXVII, XXVIII and XXX. The evening featured appearances by Cowboys legends, a conversation with Head Coach Jimmy Johnson and other members of the 1992 coaching staff, and a special celebration honoring Jerry Jones for his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Lyda Hill donates $2.5 million for campaign and nonprofit effectiveness

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Falks provide $2 million for campaigns Joint gifts endow McDermott-Templeton President and CEO of United Way

Community Leaders

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The event generated media coverage on Channels 4, 5, 8 and 11, with CBS 11 airing a live "Blue Carpet" arrival special telecast that decisively won its time slot leading into primetime. Nationally, the event made an even bigger impact, trending No. 1 on Twitter for more than five hours. Such coverage increases awareness of United Way's role as an essential and impactful North Texas institution. The investment also provided the biggest jumpstart to a United Way campaign in the organization’s history.

Thank you to our generous sponsors Presenting Sponsors AT&T Celanese Foundation Texas Instruments Champion Sponsor Fluor Corporation Dinner Sponsor PwC

Unite for Change presented by Texas Instruments

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Table Sponsors Troy Aikman Beam Suntory Deloitte EY JPMorgan Chase & Co. Neiman Marcus PepsiCo/Frito-Lay Pioneer Natural Resources Solera Marianne and Roger Staubach

OneUp the Vote digital campaign expands engagement Social entrepreneurs compete for cash in ‘One Up the Pitch’

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