Valley of the Sun United Way is out with its

Because of you, families and children are moving to a brighter future. Valley of the Sun United Way acknowledges the top organizations with the highest achievement in employee and corporate giving, helping to improve the quality of life for children and families.

“We wanted to recognize those corporations that have helped us move our work forward in the community and make this a better place for everyone to live and work, said Nancy Dean, Chief Resource Development Officer of Valley of the Sun United Way.

“And it’s a new way we are recognizing our partners and sharing their impact in the community in a way that really strengthens our relationship with these companies and highlights their contributions across the valley.”

Dedicated, impactful, and hard working are just a few words that come to mind when describing these companies and organizations. All go beyond giving dollars. They have employees who are active on United Way’s Board of Directors, in our affinity groups, such as Generation United, a group for young professionals, and Women’s Leadership Council. They’re all volunteering in the community.

Here are the honorees for this year:

• APS
• Freeport-McMoRan
• USAA
• Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Arizona, Inc.
• QuikTrip
• Nationwide E&S/Specialty
• Wells Fargo Arizona
• Vanguard
• Arizona State University
• UPS
• Edward Jones Investments
• Salt River Project
• Enterprise Holdings Incorporated
• American Airlines
• Bank of America
• PetSmart, Inc.
• Desert Schools Federal Credit Union
• General Dynamics
• Target Corporation
• Macy’s

These 20 organizations play a huge roll to ensure kids succeed, end homelessness and hunger, and increase the financial stability of families.

One thing for certain is United Way can’t do it alone. We need individuals like you, corporations, foundations, small businesses and the community to give us input. “So when we go about designing a school-based activity, or a reading activity, or an activity that supports individuals that are experiencing homelessness, we know…those are activities and programs that impact those individuals,” added Nancy.

Nancy also commented that making both a monetary donation AND volunteering is a powerful combination. “I think the difference, though, is that each of these companies, many of them have been around in our community a long time as has United Way,” shared Nancy. “And so when you look at some of these relationships, we’ve been fostering a partnership in the community for tens of years. So it’s a legacy we’re building for the future.”

It’s hard to say how many millions of people United Way has helped over the years because as Nancy puts it, when you’re helping one individual or child, you’re helping the entire family plus friends. “Some of our education programs where we provide the support services is multi-generational because we know when it comes to helping break the cycle of poverty – it’s not just focusing on that individual but on their family and their support systems and the networks.”

It really comes down to impact. “So in the new United Way, it’s really about how can we create impact together and how can people have the kind of experience that creates that impact,” added Nancy.

For more information on Live UNITED Top 20 and how you can get involved, go to vsuw.org/top20