Welcome to the United Way of Whatcom County

2009 Awards Banquet

Photos from the event:

2008 Kick-Off Event

The 2008 United Way campaign for Whatcom County got off to a great start on September 4 with its annual kick-off luncheon. Held at the St. Luke’s Health Education Center in Bellingham, the luncheon featured a catered lunch by the Hilltop Restaurant and short presentations by United Way advocates.

The luncheon marked the start of a 10-week campaign to provide supplemental funding for programs at 31 United Waypartner agencies. One in every four residents of Whatcom County is served in some way each year by one of United Way’s partner agencies.

The goal for this year’s campaign is $2.2 million, a 6% increase over the record total raised in 2007. Contributions in 2007 came from more than 330 businesses and organizations and 6,000 individuals.

A total of 9 United Way campaign executives will be conducting this year’s campaign, calling on businesses and organizations alike to help them conduct their individual campaigns.

The theme for this year’s campaign is “Live United”, a call to action to all individuals in the community to give, advocate and volunteer – delivering lasting results and positive change by addressing the needs in Whatcom County.

Photos from the event:

2008 Campaign Executives and United Way staff: (L to R)
Back: Program Associate Tamara Tregoning, Account Executives Kae Unrein,
Ian Devine, Heather Lewis-Devine, Interns Stephanie Elkins and Lisa McNamara,
Account Executive Patti Belik
Front: Account Executives Carol Nicolay, Georgia Duffy

Guests enjoy the lunch portion of the 2008 Campaign Kick-off at St. Luke's
Health Education Center.

Guests enjoy a delicious meal catered by the Hilltop Restaurant.

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2008 Awards Banquet

After a successful 2008 fundraising campaign, United Way of Whatcom County honored supporters in celebration of giving a monumental record of $2,082,000 in contributions – the largest amount of funds ever raised by the agency!

Award nominees and campaign supporters gathered for the 2008 Campaign Celebration and Awards Banquet held Thursday, April 23 at the Best Western Lakeway Inn. Guests enjoyed a night of dinner, recognition, and a presentation from keynote speaker Henry Beeland, President and CEO of Evergreen Team Concepts.

BP Cherry Point Refinery, the largest refinery in Washington state, was the top contributor this year with approximately $390,000 in contributions. The refinery was the recipient of two awards – the Leadership Giving Award and Coordinator of the Year for its Employee Campaign Coordinator Team. Despite tough economic times, the refinery celebrated a $28,000 increase over last year’s campaign.

“Giving makes for a healthier community and it’s a phenomenon that is well supported in Whatcom County,” Rich Emerson, campaign director for United Way of Whatcom County, said. “I think it was an exceptional achievement this year by a lot of people. Our community really stepped up to the plate to show strength and solidarity during this hard economic time.”

The purpose of the two-month long campaign that took place last fall is to raise money for the Community Safety Net, which is a fund that is overseen by a diverse group of 60 local volunteers who review programs and make funding decisions based on: the agency’s use of allocated funds, assurance that funding meets real community needs, and that the programs deliver long term measurable results. About 17% of United Way of Whatcom County donors choose to designate their gifts to the charity of their choice, and about 83% of the funds are contributed to the Safety Net funding and will be allocated to over 50 programs at United Way of Whatcom County Partner Agencies.

“One in every four people in the county will depend on services from our Partner Agencies next year for food and shelter, child care, medical assistance, domestic violence and child abuse help,” Peter Theisen, president of United Way of Whatcom County, said. “One-fourth of the population is going to be helped because of the contributions to United Way of Whatcom County.”

Other award winners include Olsen Auto Body, Comcast, Whatcom Educational Credit Union, Samson Rope, St. Joseph Hospital & PeaceHealth Medical Group, Whatcom Transportation Authority and Bayshore Janitorial.

United Way of Whatcom County has worked for over 50 years to increase financial resources for local health and human service needs, and to seek and invest in community-building opportunities to improve the health and welfare of Whatcom County residents.

2007 Awards Banquet

Wrapping up a successful 2007 campaign, which exceeded fundraising goals, the United Way of Whatcom County hosted its annual Campaign Celebration and Awards Banquet Thursday, April 17 at the Best Western Lakeway Inn. Socializing and a cash bar began at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and an awards program from 6 to 8 p.m. Dinner and wine, keynote speaker Mayor Dan Pike and an awards ceremony to honor those involved with the United Way of Whatcom County’s 2007 fundraising campaign were all a part of the event.

BP Cherry Point Refinery was the title sponsor of the event. There were also multiple table sponsors at the event including: Moss Adams, IBEW Local 191, The Unity Group, St. Joseph Hospital, Whatcom Educational Credit Union, Samson Rop Technologies, Horizon Bank, North Coast Credit Union, Conoco Phillips Ferndale Refinery, Pivot Lab, Comcast and Susan and Fred Zoller

Awards were given in several categories on both business and individual levels. A complete list of the 2007 award winners can be found .

Donors and contributors of the United Way, staff from various partner agencies and other community members attended the event to celebrate the success of the 2007 campaign with food, friends and festivities. The campaign goal was to raise $2,025,000. During the 2007 campaign, with the kindness and generosity of our donors, we raised more than $2,062,000 for the Community Safety Net. A big thank you to everyone who made this campaign a success!

Photos from the event:

Welcome to United Way of Whatcom County's
Campaign Celebration & Awards Banquet

Guests begin to arrive at the Best Western Lakeway Inn Whatcom Banquet Hall

Guests continue to arrive

Guests enjoy the dinner portion of the event

Head table

Guests continue to enjoy dinner

Horizon Bank-sponsored table

Keynote speaker Mayor Dan Pike

Greg Poehlman and Campaign Chair Robb Dale

Campaign Executives Marinda Peugh, Heather Lewis, Rich Emerson, Amanda Younger and Jim Boyle (not pictured)

CH2M HILL Gang, winner of three awards: Leadership Giving Award, Gold Star Award and Joseph & Anne McClain Award

Long-time United Way supporters Joseph & Anne McClain

All photos courtesy of Craig Lang
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BP Partner Agency Fair

The BP Cherry Point Refinery paired up with 27 United Way of Whatcom County Partner Agencies Wednesday September 27th for an agency fair held at the BP Cherry Point Refinery. Partner agency representatives were on hand to provide information about the services they are able to provide with assistance from United Way funding.

BP employees spent their lunch break enjoying a BBQ lunch provided by BP and learning about various partner agencies such as the American Red Cross, Lydia Place and Sean Humphrey House. The event also included a "bull-riding" fundraiser, where employees could give a donation in exchange for a ride on the mechanical bull. BP Cherry Point's goal for their United Way employee campaign is $200,000 and will be conducted by several employee volunteers.

BP Cherry Point Refinery is one of many workplaces working with the United Way to help meet this year's fundraising goal of $2.2 million. This year's goal is a 6% increase over the record total raised in 2007. Contributions in 2007 came from more than 330 businesses and organizations and 6,000 individuals.

Mechanical bull riding in the background, and BP employees who are volunteering to work on the campaign from left to right:
Lynette Morris-Reade, Jean Martineau, Lauren Hamidian, Mike Ingraham, Tammy Davolt

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2008 Awards Banquet

After a successful 2008 fundraising campaign, United Way of Whatcom County honored supporters in celebration of giving a monumental record of $2,082,000 in contributions – the largest amount of funds ever raised by the agency!

Award nominees and campaign supporters gathered for the 2008 Campaign Celebration and Awards Banquet held Thursday, April 23 at the Best Western Lakeway Inn. Guests enjoyed a night of dinner, recognition, and a presentation from keynote speaker Henry Beeland, President and CEO of Evergreen Team Concepts.

BP Cherry Point Refinery, the largest refinery in Washington state, was the top contributor this year with approximately $390,000 in contributions. The refinery was the recipient of two awards – the Leadership Giving Award and Coordinator of the Year for its Employee Campaign Coordinator Team. Despite tough economic times, the refinery celebrated a $28,000 increase over last year’s campaign.

“Giving makes for a healthier community and it’s a phenomenon that is well supported in Whatcom County,” Rich Emerson, campaign director for United Way of Whatcom County, said. “I think it was an exceptional achievement this year by a lot of people. Our community really stepped up to the plate to show strength and solidarity during this hard economic time.”

The purpose of the two-month long campaign that took place last fall is to raise money for the Community Safety Net, which is a fund that is overseen by a diverse group of 60 local volunteers who review programs and make funding decisions based on: the agency’s use of allocated funds, assurance that funding meets real community needs, and that the programs deliver long term measurable results. About 17% of United Way of Whatcom County donors choose to designate their gifts to the charity of their choice, and about 83% of the funds are contributed to the Safety Net funding and will be allocated to over 50 programs at United Way of Whatcom County Partner Agencies.

“One in every four people in the county will depend on services from our Partner Agencies next year for food and shelter, child care, medical assistance, domestic violence and child abuse help,” Peter Theisen, president of United Way of Whatcom County, said. “One-fourth of the population is going to be helped because of the contributions to United Way of Whatcom County.”

Other award winners include Olsen Auto Body, Comcast, Whatcom Educational Credit Union, Samson Rope, St. Joseph Hospital & PeaceHealth Medical Group, Whatcom Transportation Authority and Bayshore Janitorial.

United Way of Whatcom County has worked for over 50 years to increase financial resources for local health and human service needs, and to seek and invest in community-building opportunities to improve the health and welfare of Whatcom County residents.

Back to the top