Giving that counts

It takes a community to make a city strong.

It’s the big and the small, working together to accomplish something greater than neither could do on its own.

It means large corporate donations doused with the change of children and volunteers sharing their time, willing to give sacrificially for the common good.

Odessa’s flagship organization for fulfilling that mission is suitably named for the task: United Way.

Two weeks remain in the 2007 fund-raising campaign, with a goal of $1.65 million, but area employees, students and children are joining forces down the homestretch.

Community Relations Director Brandi Alexander said that as of Friday, 78 percent, about $1,287,000 had been reached.

With more than 1,500 employees in its ranks, Medical Center Hospital — like many other Odessa businesses — has organized a companywide campaign to raise funds for the nonprofit hub to 17 other local agencies.

Rhonda Lewallen, public relations coordinator, said the hospital’s campaign began on Sept. 15 and has raised over $66,000 from employees alone.

“We surpassed our $60,000 goal, and we’re still getting in cards,” she said. “Everyone in our department pitches in to get it done.”

Communicating United Way’s message to so many people may be difficult, but MCH enlists the help of department heads to spread the word.

More than 400 MCH donors signed up to support the Odessa organization through regular payroll deductions, one-time gifts or recurring donations. Many employees support the United Way through the Fair Share system, which contributes one hour’s pay each pay period.

Lewallen said she wants to see a larger percentage of hospital donors in the future.

“United Way touches so many people — there’s not too many people who haven’t been affected by the United Way,” she said. “What really impresses me is that some of our employees, who don’t make as much money, give above and beyond — they see how it positively affects a life.”

And even with lower-paying jobs, students throughout the 38 campuses of the Ector County Independent School District are getting involved.

Communications Director Mike Adkins said each school runs its own fund-raising campaign and then combines the donations from students and district employees for a lump sum.

“We talk about wanting kids coming to school ready to learn, and the United Way has a tremendous impact on all our kids — in getting them to a place ready to learn,” he said. “We know the United Way helps us in our ultimate goal.”

Even with a later start than in the past, Adkins said the district’s campaign goal is to raise $100,000. Students add to the pot by collecting change and holding various school fund-raisers.

“The kids are very quick to get involved in all of the causes. We don’t give them a lot of credit all the time, but they recognize the need and they’re quick to act on it,” he said.

At Barbara Jordan Elementary, fourth-grade teacher Jamie White said students are using spare change from around the house in a contest of massive proportions.

Grade levels compete for muscles to be added to their team’s stick man posted near the school cafeteria. The winning grade gets an ice-cream party during class.

“For every $5 the grade level reaches, we add a muscle on to the arm,” White said. “They seem to like it — they want to see which class has the biggest one.”

Last year Barbara Jordan raised more than $4,552, and they’re aiming for $5,000 this year.

White said United Way’s different groups help at least one student in every classroom, making the cause even more worthwhile with “results you can see.”

“They need to understand that we’re all part of the community — when you help one, you help others,” she said.

United Way Executive Director Dwayne Bennett said success stories at the ground level exemplify the need to give and get further involved.

“We can’t tell the story better than the people that provide the services,” he said.

Whether the gift is large or small, they are all significant, Bennett said — individual donors are just as vital to the effort as the large businesses that get involved.

“It’s those small contributions that add up and they help us collectively reach our goal,” he said. “We always need contributions.”

WANT TO HELP?

>> If you want to make a tax-deductible contribution or learn more about the United Way, call Brandi Alex-ander at 332-0941.

WHO BENEFITS?

The United Way of Odessa serves as an umbrella for the following 17 agencies that operate 29 programs in the community:

>> American Red Cross of the Southwest.

>> Boys and Girls Club of Odessa.

>> Boy Scouts of America.

>> Camp Fire USA West Texas Council.

>> Catholic Charities.

>> Centers for Children and Families.

>> Communities in Schools of the Permian Basin.

>> Girl Scouts of the Permian Basin.

>> Harmony Home.

>> Meals on Wheels.

>> Odessa Day Nursery.

>> Odessa Family YMCA.

>> Odessa Links.

>> Permian Basin Regional Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse.

>> Safe Place of the Permian Basin.

>> The Crisis Center.

>> The Salvation Army.