Close to Home program benefits City of Nacogdoches employees

Close to Home program benefits City of Nacogdoches employees

NACOGDOCHES, TX – March 25, 2013 – Businesses and offices that run United Way workplace campaigns can receive more than just the satisfaction of knowing their donations impact lives in Nacogdoches. Each of the top ten workplace campaigns that raises at least ten percent more than its last campaign is eligible to participate in the Close to Home program, a United Way program that allows some of the money from those campaigns to be put in a reserve fund for employees who fall on hard times.

Recently the City of Nacogdoches has been able to use its Close to Home funds to assist two employees struggling with financial issues.

“This week alone we [distributed] $1,200 to employees that were faced with major financial burdens that they otherwise would not have been able to meet,” Tarah Rudisill, assistant human resources director and United Way campaign coordinator for the City of Nacogdoches, said.

Employees who have benefited from this program in the past have included families who have been victims of house fires, health-related crises or loss of loved ones.

            “The Close To Home program has been in place for over 10 years, and I’d feel comfortable saying over 100 people have benefited from the program so far,” Paula Cook, a member of the Nacogdoches County United Way Board of Directors said.

                The Close to Home program functions as an incentive program for those campaigns that go above and beyond their goals, and gives those business a way to help their own employees, the people who are “closest to home.”

                “Close to Home is designed to reward the efforts and support of the companies who excel in their funding of NCUW and service to the Nacogdoches community,” Gary Lee Ashcraft, president and CEO of NCUW said.

                “To see the gratitude and relief in these employee's faces during their extremely trying times was truly touching, and reminded me of why we have a United Way campaign each year,” Rudisill said.

The other top ten campaigns from the 2013 Live United Campaign were BancorpSouth, Commercial Bank of Texas, Cooper Power Systems, Etech, Inc., Nacogdoches Medical Center, Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital, Nacogdoches ISD, Norbord and Pilgrim’s Pride.

The 2014 Live United Campaign Kickoff date has been set for August 15, and Rudisill is already thinking about the City’s 2014 United Way campaign.

“After this week I don't think we should set our goal anything below landing those Close to Home funds.  Our employees truly need us to pull through for them,” Rudisill said.

For more information on how NCUW makes an impact in the Nacogdoches community, please visit our website, www.unitedwaynac.com, or call (936) 564-5869.

NCUW to promote "Giving 5"

NACOGDOCHES, TX – March 25, 2013 – The Nacogdoches County United Way is promoting the idea of “Giving 5,” a United Way Worldwide initiative.

The idea behind the video is simple: If you give $5, and then encourage five people you know to give $5, and then they encourage five people to give $5, the ripple effect of your message can be felt across the nation. Or, as the video puts it: “From Apache Junction (Arizona) to Zanesville (Ohio).”

While the official Nacogdoches “Live United” campaign is over, NCUW wants to remind our supporters that there is never an expiration date on donating or advocating.

“‘Giving 5’ is about more than donating – it’s about being an advocate in your community,” Gary Lee Ashcraft, president and CEO of NCUW, said. “People in Nacogdoches need assistance all year, and NCUW strives to continue meeting needs in the areas of health, education, financial stability and crisis intervention.”

To watch the “Give 5” video, visit NCUW’s website, www.unitedwaynac.com, or Facebook page, www.facebook.com/unitedwaynac.