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SamTrans > News Archive > SamTrans Employees Boost United Way Giving 25%
SamTrans Employees Boost United Way Giving 25%
San Mateo County Transit District employees showed their commitment to the community
by raising nearly $50,000 for United Way of the Bay Area – a 25 percent increase over
last year’s effort. “Our employees are an incredibly giving group of people,” said
General Manager/CEO Mike Scanlon, who called the results of the annual campaign
“awesome.”
The district is one of more than 600 employers that participate in the campaign that
raises millions of dollars to support local nonprofits. Last year, United Way raised
$37 million for Bay Area charities. SamTrans employees contributed $37,771 to that
amount. This year, SamTrans employees raised $48,147 in individual contributions.
Eric Saddik, United Way development officer, said that while donations are on the
upswing throughout the Bay Area, “These numbers are not typical. SamTrans did a
fantastic job.”
Saddik said that the transit district used many of the “best practices” endorsed by
United Way. “One of the most important components of a successful campaign is
leadership, and SamTrans has that,” said Saddik. Scanlon serves on the charity’s
board of directors, and Chief Operating Officer Chuck Harvey, one of the district’s
top five executives, chaired the campaign.
To generate interest in the fundraising drive employees hosted early-morning
breakfasts for bus operators and mechanics who start their work day at 5 a.m.
Employees also donated prizes and bought tickets for raffles to keep up the momentum
of the campaign. A helicopter ride (donated by an employee) was among the most
popular raffle prizes.
Bus Operator Derek Fisher was the winner of the grand prize – a week off work, one day
of which was donated by each of the district’s chief officers. Although Fisher
admitted the raffle was an “incentive,” he also said, “I make a payroll deduction to
the United Way every year. It makes me feel good to know that I am contributing to
the community and helping out someone else.”
According to Cindy Strong, employee program and development officer, a significant
number of employees elected to make donations of $1,000 and up, United Way’s
“Leadership Level.” Harvey gave a strong pitch to his coworkers for becoming a
Leadership contributor. “I find the demands of work and family make it difficult to
find the time to make a difference in the community,” he said. “Donating to United Way
gives me that opportunity.”
Many employees cited commitment to community as key to their participation in the
campaign. Mechanic Andrew McCambridge summed it when he said, “I do pretty well so I
want to give something back to the community that has given so much to me.”
12/29/04
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