FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 9, 2003
FY04-09
ORAU Employees "Raise the Roof" on Most Successful Giving Campaign to Date
OAK RIDGE, Tenn.—As ORAU’s annual giving campaign, themed “Raisin’ the Roof for United Way and Community Shares,” officially came to a close, the company noted a 91 percent employee participation rate and had raised nearly $69,000—making this year’s the most successful campaign yet. A phenomenal 32 percent increase over last year’s figures, ORAU’s contribution to United Way of Anderson County totals approximately $51,000, and Community Shares will receive $18,000.
“Our employees made a remarkable commitment this year,” said ORAU President Ron Townsend, “and I am overwhelmed by their generosity and compassion. This level of commitment demonstrates how much we value our communities.”
As ORAU had been raising the roof on its new corporate building, the company decided to adopt the “Raisin’ the Roof” theme for its giving campaign to encourage employees to exceed the successes of last year’s campaign, which totaled more than $47,000. The campaign was kicked off with a pizza lunch and free ORAU sweatshirts for every employee who turned in a pledge card. Two weeks into the campaign, the participation rate had already reached 77 percent with donations totaling $46,000.
To encourage additional commitments and to make the campaign more exciting, organizations within ORAU competed to see which ones could reach 100 percent participation and then increase their percentage of giving most significantly over last year’s numbers. ORAU’s Emergency, Health and Safety (ESH) organization emerged as the winner with 100 percent participation and the highest percentage increase in giving at more than 37 percent. Six other organizations within ORAU reached 100 percent participation, three of which also increased their percentage of giving from last year.
In recognition of their tremendous commitment to ORAU’s total charitable effort in this campaign, ESH employees and their guests will be treated by the company to a special dinner out on the town.
Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) is a university consortium leveraging the scientific strength of 86 major research institutions to advance science and education by partnering with national laboratories, government agencies, and private industry. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education for the U.S. Department of Energy.
###