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| (l-r) Mike Brown, County of
Santa Barbara, and Henry Dubroff, Pacific Coast Business
Times, proudly show campaign results |
On February 19, 2004, United Way of Santa
Barbara County's volunteers, contributors and supporters gathered at the
Four Seasons Biltmore to celebrate the accomplishments of the
2003-2004 Community Campaign. The Victory Celebration, held in a festive
Mardi Gras theme, opened up with the lively music of The Swizzle
Sisters and continued with parallel spirits until the year’s final
numbers were displayed by Brownie Troop 763 of the Mesa.
Serving as Master of Ceremonies, Randy Weiss, with the Office of
Compliance at Pacific Capital Bancorp, began the joyous celebration by
thanking United Way's Board President and Principal of Damitz, Brooks,
Nightingale, Turner and Morrisset, Rick Nightingale, for his
years of devoted service to the community. A thank you also went to
John Indrieri, General Manager of the Four Seasons Biltmore and
generous sponsor of the annual Victory Celebration.
This year, more than ever before, meeting the goal of $2,935,000 proved
to be somewhat of a challenge, due to our slow paced economy.
Nevertheless, Santa Barbara and surrounding communities came together
and raised a grand total of $2,936,764, with an average gift of $248 and
a 29% participation rate. This past year was a close call and a prime
example of the importance of each and every donor, regardless of their
contribution. United Way is very grateful for all of its 10,000+
contributors!
On that note, Mr. Weiss proceeded to announce the winners of the Star
Awards. These awards highlight stellar campaigns completed between the
December Holiday Report Reception and the Victory Celebration. The final
awards for the year will be given at the 81st Annual Awards Luncheon on
Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at the Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center.
Star Award winners were:
Super Nova - Reaching New Heights: Raytheon Company
Shooting Star - A Growing Campaign: Bacara Resort & Spa
Quasar - A Brilliant Increase: Indigo Systems Corporation
North Star - Steady and Leading: Cottage Health Systems
Star Light - Non-Profit Leader: Rehabilitation Institute of Santa
Barbara
Shining Star - Brilliant Support: Vetronix
,%20Faye%20Eson%20(Davies%20Communications),%20and%20Leslie%20Lund%20(City%20of%20SB).jpg) |
| (l-r) Michele Mickiewica,
County of Santa Barbara; Faye Eson, Davies Communications;
Leslie Lund, City of Santa Barbara |
Mike Brown, Chief Administrative
Officer of the County of Santa Barbara and the Campaign Chair of the
2003-2004 Community Campaign, was next to take the podium. Mr. Brown
expressed his delight at the support of the community; he also talked of
the challenges United Way has faced this year and will face in the
future. Henry Dubroff, Editor and Publisher of the Pacific Coast
Business Times, was announced as the 2004-2005 Campaign Chair.
Volunteers of the Campaign Cabinet, the professional staff of United
Way, and all those organizations involved in the success of this past
year's campaign effort were also applauded for their dedication and
support of Santa Barbara County's United Way. The Santa Ynez Band of
Chumash Indians was specially recognized for their gift, which
helped make reaching United Way's goal possible. Last but not least was
the collective recognition of those who gave by individual willingness.
Home donors contributed more than $722,000 to this past campaign.
Before the ceremony came to a close, Troop 763 of the Santa Barbara
Mesa, lead by troop leader Rebecca Gaffney, filed out, eventually
organizing themselves and the numbers they held, which displayed the
total raised by this year’s campaign. Once again, the noise elevated as
The Swizzle Sisters began to entertain amidst the glitz and gold of
Mardi Gras. Cheers were abundant and spirits were high, as the 2003-2004
United Way of Santa Barbara County Campaign came to a festive and
satisfying close.
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|
Susan Scurlock
of Vetronix accepts the Shooting Star award |
|
Calendar of Events/RSVP