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аæèßäapp gets local, regional, and state attention for its United Way fundraising efforts

The honors and accolades keep coming for аæèßäapp’ efforts to support the United Way of аæèßäapp County.  For the 2023-2024 academic year, the school district’s annual fundraising campaign for the local United Way reached nearly $115,000.  The funds go toward United Way initiatives in аæèßäapp County to support three focus areas: education, health and wellness, and financial stability.

At the recent United Way of аæèßäapp County’s annual luncheon, аæèßäapp received the Golden Eagle Award for having the highest fundraising total among all contributing businesses/organizations.  Additionally, Valerie Yatko, director of business partnerships for аæèßäapp, received the Campaign Coordinator of the Year Award.  Yatko serves as the district-wide coordinator for аæèßäapp and works closely with the schools and central level departments to make the fundraising campaign, which is held in the fall, a success.

The awards are among the latest local, regional, and state accolades for the school district’s outstanding fundraising efforts.  In February, аæèßäapp received the Spirit of North Carolina Award from the United Way of North Carolina and was one of only five organizations/businesses statewide to be invited to present a session at the United Way of North Carolina’s Best Practices Showcase at Elon University.  Last spring, the school district was honored at a United Way regional ceremony in Mooresville.

In preparation for the 2023-2024 campaign, the schools and central level departments were challenged to increase fundraising by 12 percent.  When the final total was tallied ($114,957.71), students and employees had increased giving by 28.5 percent, resulting in аæèßäapp having its highest fundraising amount in 12 years.

Superintendent of Schools Morgen Houchard stated, “All of the praise for our successful United Way campaign goes to our schools, central level departments, students, and employees for their amazing efforts to support our fundraising efforts.  Everyone involved enthusiastically embraced our campaign, going way beyond expectations and showing how the spirit of caring and giving is alive and well in аæèßäapp.”

Dr. Houchard added, “We also must give credit to Valerie Yatko for serving as our district-wide fundraising coordinator.  Her love, support, and appreciation for the United Way runs deep, and our campaign has grown and flourished under her leadership.  She really is the person behind-the-scenes who makes it happen.”

The schools and central level departments have created a sense of excitement and engagement around the district’s fundraising efforts for the United Way.  The schools, especially, get creative and generate friendly – and sometimes fierce – competition.

Leading the way in fundraising for 2023-2024 was Southwest Middle School with $8,800; Grier Middle School and Hunter Huss High School both contributed more than $6,000 each.  Here’s a look at the top 10 schools for fundraising:
1. Southwest Middle School
2. Grier Middle School
3. Hunter Huss High School
4. Cramerton Middle School
5. Woodhill Elementary School
6. Highland School of Technology
7. North аæèßäapp High School
8. Carr Elementary School
9. Pleasant Ridge Elementary School
10. Forestview High School

Collectively, the 10 schools account for more than $49,000 of the money raised by аæèßäapp in 2023-2024.  Twelve schools doubled or more than doubled their contribution when compared to the previous year, and 21 schools met the challenge of increasing giving by 12 percent.  Additionally, five central level departments achieved 100 percent participation in giving.

In just the past four years alone, аæèßäapp has collectively raised more than $400,000 for the United Way in аæèßäapp County.

Dr. Houchard concluded, “We would like to thank each person who contributed to our fundraising campaign.  It is great to see that our students and employees are lending a helping hand to support important programs right here in our community.  Regardless of whether you gave $10 or $100, you gave what you could, and we are most appreciative.  We know that every dollar counts, and when we come together to support a common cause, we always have positive results.  Without question, raising almost $115,000 is very positive.”