Santa Rosa, CA (January 18, 2007) – The County of Sonoma and Agilent Technologies have combined to raise nearly $1 million for the community through United Way of Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake run campaigns.
Through the 2007 Employees Combined Fund Drive, County of Sonoma employees raised a record-setting $407,000. An increase of 14% increase from their 2006 total, it was the first time the campaign surpassed $400,000. “The results of this year’s campaign are phenomenal, and are further evidence of the compassion and dedication our staff and retirees bring to our community,” said Jo Weber, Director of Human Services with the County of Sonoma. She co-chaired this year’s campaign with Vern Losh, Director of Emergency Services.
The Combined Fund Drive is an annual campaign run by Sonoma County employees to raise funds for a wide-variety of non-profits. United Way of Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake serves as the principal manager of this campaign. “This outstanding commitment to non-profit organizations strengthens and supports Sonoma County and our partners in facing the difficult challenges ahead,” added Jo Weber. “We are very pleased and proud to be part of an organization that demonstrates such outstanding service.”
In the private sector, Agilent Technologies also reported a 14% increase over the previous year. Employees contributed $285,000 to the United Way campaign and, thanks to a dollar for dollar corporate match, Agilent donated a total of $570,000 to help people in our community. In addition, 370 Agilent employees also volunteered for United Way’s 17th annual Day of Caring.
“The success of our annual United Way campaign is due to the community spirit of Agilent people -- both in Day of Caring and the generosity of their financial support,” says Agilent Vice President Jim McGillivary, who chairs the company’s campaign and is an Executive Board Member with United Way of Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake. “Our approach is to make the campaign a fun, two-week event, and more than half of our Santa Rosa employees contributed this year.”
United Way works closely with more than 300 private and public businesses every year to create real, lasting change in people’s lives in Sonoma Mendocino and Lake counties.
