Entergy Wraps Up United Way Campaign

January 24th, 2011

Fulton, NY ? The United Way of Greater Oswego County received a significant contribution to its Annual Campaign with the completion of the Entergy Nuclear employee campaign for the United Way.

Entergy employees donated a total of $74,000 in support of the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Annual Campaign. The employee donations, coupled with Entergy Corporate?s generous policy of matching employee contributions puts Entergy?s total donation to the United Way Annual Campaign at $148,000.

Carolyn Thompson, who chaired Entergy?s in-house United Way campaign, was pleased with its success, credited in part to a new strategy that the committee introduced. ?The focus of this year?s campaign was to increase the number of employees that contribute. To accomplish this we teamed department and work groups together and challenged them to a participation contest. The department/work group with the highest level of contributors, based on the greatest participation percentage, would win a pizza party. The challenge worked. Our number of contributors nearly doubled. Our committee, which included, Jim Yerdon, Brian Finn, Linda Krackehl, Patti Ponzi, Eric Parr, Tammy Holden, Jorge O’Farrill, Lisa Ellis, Kelly Weitz, and Tammy Elowski also introduced a number of new ideas including a silent auction and a drawing for a front row parking spot, said Thompson.

The Entergy committee added a personal touch to this year?s campaign with several members sharing stories of how they, or someone close to them, had been helped by a program or agency supported by United Way. ?The stories were inspirational,? said Tammy Holden, communications specialist. ?They opened many eyes to the fact that you never know when you, or someone you love, might need the assistance of a United Way agency. Additionally, we incorporated creative, fun ways to raise awareness of the impact United Way dollars has on our communities.?

Holden also noted that an important part of the campaign?s success was the willingness of the International Brotherhood of Electrical workers (IBEW) 97 and the employees it represents to challenge each other to make this one of FitzPatrick?s best campaigns.

When the final numbers came in Thompson and other committee members were humbled by the response they received. ?They were excited by the generosity of our co-workers, added Holden. ?The FitzPatrick team has always stepped up to support their community. This year they went above by not only surpassing last years contributions by 40 percent, but also by increasing the number of contributors.?

Melanie Trexler, executive director of United Way of Greater Oswego County was also impressed with the their efforts and praised Entergy and its employees. ?Entergy continues to be a faithful supporter of the United Way. The steadfast commitment of Entergy and their caring employees to the United Way exemplifies their generosity and captures the essence of our ?Live United? concept. Entergy?s employees truly gave from their heart this year as their contributions exceeded those of last year despite these trying economic conditions. Their significant contribution to our annual campaign helps us to continue to provide funding for the many human services programs that are administered through our member agency programs and provide relief to those in need in Oswego County,? said Trexler.

Holden added that the work of the committee and the success of the Entergy employee campaign for United Way was recognized by Entergy?s corporate offices. Continuing their commitment to their community, Entergy corporate once again matched employee donations to United Way dollar-for-dollar. ?Contributing to the United Way is one of the key ways Entergy and its employees give back to the community. Entergy partners with United Way supported agencies throughout the communities where Entergy operates. They recognize that FitzPatrick employees truly care about improving the quality of life for those that need help and are very pleased by the success of our campaign,? said Holden.

Cut Line for photo: Employees at the Entergy Nuclear James A. FitzPatrick plant recently completed their in-house campaign in support of United Way of Greater Oswego County. The campaign, which had a record number of contributors, coupled with the match from Entergy Corporate raised $148,000 for the United Way?s Annual Campaign. Above are Entergy employees and committee members with Executive Director of United Way of Greater Oswego County, Melanie Trexler and Resource Development Director, Lois Luber. From left in front are: IBEW Local 97 Representative & Entergy employee Jim Yerdon, Carolyn Thompson, Neal Chapman, Tammy Holden, Melanie Trexler, Linda Krackehl, Steve Mustico, and Fran Lukaczyk. Second row from left: Brian Finn, Lois Luber, Caron Feeney (wife of Entergy Employee), and Kelly Weitz. Back row from left: United Way Campaign Cabinet member, Rob Rolfe of Pathfinder Bank, Jim Feeney, and United Way Campaign Cabinet member, Jonathan Daniels, executive director of the Port of Oswego Authority.