TI is gearing up for 2008 United Way campaign
A team of TI volunteers recently painted a fence at the Warren Center, a United Way agency. |
TI's United Way campaign is personal to the many employees across the company who are involved with the organization – as donors, volunteers and recipients of services. This year, hundreds of employees are expected to again take advantage of the opportunity to experience United Way's work in the community by donating their time and money.
TI's 2008 campaign will run Oct. 6-24 and will echo the theme of United Ways across the country – "Live United: Give. Advocate. Volunteer."
To further illustrate its commitment to United Way, the TI Foundation approved $200,000 in addition to the $1.3 million the foundation gives United Way of Metropolitan Dallas (UWMD) annually. This grant will be leveraged during the overall campaign and was deemed important due to the current economic environment when agency services are even more in demand.
TI has been a strong supporter of United Way since
the early 1960s and has been the largest supporter
of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas (UWMD) for more than
15 years,
with contributions from its employees and the TI Foundation.
For several years, TI has had more employees contribute
to UWMD at the leadership level – $1,000 or more annually – than
any other Dallas company.
The commitment to United Way doesn't end in Dallas -- TI sites
throughout the United States strongly support United
Way through volunteering and giving campaigns.
Many TI employees are involved in the United Way campaign
and in leadership roles in the community. Phil Ritter, senior vice president, TI Public Affairs,
is serving as chairman of the 2008-2009 UWMD board of directors.
Ritter has an extensive history of supporting United
Way. Nearly 10 years ago, he worked to shape UWMD's
Community Needs Assessment into the resource document
it is today for those seeking information on the local
population's
most pressing needs.
"Texas Instruments and Phil Ritter have been
rock-solid supporters of United Way of Metropolitan
Dallas for years and I'm honored to have Phil serve
as board chairman," UWMD CEO Gary Godsey said. "He
truly knows the organization inside and out and I am
confident we will have great success under his leadership."
In 2005, Ritter served as the Campaign Cabinet chair
and helped raise a record-breaking $51.1 million – 106
percent of the year's goal. During that time he
also initiated the partnership between UWMD, TI and the
TI Foundation to address the escalating high school dropout
rate in Dallas by creating the program Destination: Graduation.
The TI Foundation funded the expansion of Destination: Graduation to Collin County schools last year.
"I am thrilled to serve as chairman because
working with the United Way offers the chance to make
a difference in our community that I believe is unlike
any other philanthropic experience," Ritter said. "United
Way expertly mobilizes organizations and volunteers
to address some of the most critical concerns of our
time."
TI leaders say United Way consistently excels at
addressing and resolving the most urgent community
needs. Its process is simple: Identify the issue, find
the right agency, offer financial support and measure
results.
More than 20 employees served on United Way allocations
panels this year to determine where to invest United
Way funds. Hundreds of TI employees serve in leadership
positions at United Way partner agencies and volunteer
at the grassroots level. |
