LA PLATA, Md. (January 25, 2012)—Charles County Public Schools employees pledged more than $100,000 to the United Way of Charles County in 2011, which is a contribution increase of more than $6,500 from the previous year’s campaign and the highest amount of money raised by the school system to date.
When the 2011 campaign was launched at the beginning of the school year, Superintendent of Schools James E. Richmond set a goal of $100,000 for the new campaign and urged employees to help raise funds that support their local communities. “I am so proud of the school system and all of the employees who take the time to support the Charles County community. Charles County Public Schools has supported the United Way for more than 15 years, and I am amazed by the level of increased participation each year. Our employees have a great focus on the overall well-being of the community,” Richmond said.
Charles County Public Schools has also been the United Way’s top campaign contributor for the past six years, in which donations increased more than $25,000 over a five-year period. In 2006, donations totaled $74,444 and as of December, donations made to the 2011 campaign totaled $100,181.
Dorothy L. Harper, president and CEO of the United Way of Charles County, said the school system’s support was vital to the success of the 2011 campaign. “We are very excited about the participation by the employees of Charles County Public Schools for raising over $100,000 in pledges for the 2011 campaign. I want to thank Mr. Richmond for being the strong supporter of United Way that he has been year after year. Without his support and encouragement, this goal would not have been reached,” she added.
Westlake High School was the top 2011 campaign contributor at the high school level, with donations totaling $8,479; Mattawoman Middle School raised the highest amount at the middle school level, with donations totaling $3,038; and Mary B. Neal Elementary School raised $4,407, which was the highest amount at the elementary school level.
The system’s elementary schools raised the most funds as a whole, with donations totaling nearly $41,000, followed by the six high schools with nearly $30,000, the eight middle schools with more than $16,000 and in donations, and the administrative offices and educational centers with donations totaling more than $12,000.
Schools and centers coordinate campaigns and host special events to raise funds. For the 2011 campaign, Richard Kelly, special education teacher and campaign coordinator at Mattawoman, presented a video to staff about Special Olympics and talked about how donations support such agencies. Mattawoman has also held hot dog socials to raise money, in which students serve staff member lunches to raise funds.
At Neal, staff members paid to wear jeans on early dismissal days and participated in auctions to bid on items such as use of the principal’s parking spot and goodie bags. Westlake hosted an NFL/United Way day in which staff and students wore clothing that represented their favorite football team, and the team with the largest participation won a free jeans day.
Contributions to United Way support more than 37 Charles County agencies, many of which are child oriented and assist special populations. Some of these agencies include the Center for Children, Inc., the Charles County Children’s Aid Society, Tri-County Youth Services Bureau, Inc., and Special Olympics Maryland Charles County.
Employees can opt to donate funds through payroll deduction, one-time donations or through credit card payments. CCPS has been involved in United Way of Charles County fundraising campaigns since 1995. The United Way of Charles County uses such funding to address needs and concerns of community members and groups.
Source: Charles County Public School System