MONROE, N.C. — The 2011 United Way Annual Campaign raised more than $1 million in Union County.
On Wednesday morning, the United Way held a thank you breakfast at Carolinas Medical Center- Union to thank the largest donors to the campaign.
The top 10 accounts, which represent more than 67 percent of the campaign, were Union County Public Schools, ATI Allvac, Charlotte Pipe & Foundry, Plastics Division, Carolinas Medical Center-Union, Tyson Foods, Goodrich Corporation, RSC Chemical Solutions, Union County, Colfax Corporation and UPS-Monroe.
Union County Public Schools received the largest campaign award for the second year in a row. This year the schools system raised roughly $155,000.
"My hat's off to Union County Schools," Leon Salter, the 2011 Union County campaign chair, said. He added that his wife is a teacher and "they haven't had raises in forever," but they are still doing their part for the United Way campaign.
The largest corporate gift award went to ATI Allvac. They gave a donation of $24,000, in addition to their employee campaign that raised roughly $124,000.
The largest special event award went to Charlotte Pipe and Foundry, Plastics Division. Their annual golf tournament raised $97,800 for the United Way. Their campaign contribution totaled approximately $111,000.
The top campaign award for 2011 went to CMC-Union. They also hosted and sponsored the breakfast.
The 2012 leadership was announced. Pat Kahle, with Citizens South Bank, is the 2012 board chair. Denise White, with CMC-Union, is the 2012 community investment chair. Michael Lutes, with CMC-Union, is the 2012 campaign chair. Michael Jordan, with CMC-Union, is the 2012 Day of Caring chair.
"Our needs (in Union County) are continuing to grow," Kahle said. "My hope is that we can have a campaign that meets those needs."
They have not set a goal for the 2012 campaign yet. The 2012 Day of Caring will be Saturday, Aug. 25 at 7:30 a.m. at Wingate University.
Richard Heins, United Way regional vice president, said the breakfast was a "reflection on what happened last year."
"The community really responded," Heins said.
The funds will be allocated to agencies over the summer.