Genesee County UAW-GM contributions push United Way close to $2.9 million goal

For Release: Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012

Genesee County UAW-GM contributions push United Way close to $2.9 million goal

Agency on track to surpass amount raised in 2010-11 campaign

Flint, MI – The United Way of Genesee County, led by a boost in funding from UAW members and General Motors, is closing in on its goal to raise $2.9 million during its 90^th anniversary year.

With a donation of nearly $93,000 from the GM Foundation and nearly $500,000 raised at GM operations in the Flint area, the United Way of Genesee County now sits at more than 80 percent of its stretch goal to raise $2.9 million in the 2011-12 campaign. At this point the United Way campaign is on track to surpass the amount raised in the 2010-11 campaign.

“We are grateful to the men and women of GM and the UAW for their generous donations year after year,” said Jerry Leman, interim executive director of the United Way of Genesee County. “Without their support many of the programs funded by the United Way would either reduce the number of people helped or disappear altogether.”

“The General Motors Foundation, along with our plant cities, is committed to giving back to the communities that are home to General Motors facilities and its employees,” said Vivian Pickard, President, GM Foundation.  “The work of United Way makes a positive impact on these communities daily, and we are pleased to support their efforts again this year.”

Funds raised in the annual campaign provide services to more than 35,000 Genesee County residents.

·       All money collected in Genesee County stays in Genesee County.

·       United Way-funded programs can match these funds through state, federal, corporation or foundation grants to provide more dollars for the community.

·       Decisions for community investment of United Way dollars are driven by volunteers with first-hand knowledge of community needs.

·       United Way focuses its dollars on Child/Youth Development, Older Adults and Basic Needs /Strengthening Families.

Christopher P. Wise, vice president of the Randy Wise Automotive Team and chairman of the 2011-12 United Way campaign, is confident the agency will meet its goal, which was originally set at $2.8 million by the United Way board of directors.

“Our volunteers wanted to set the bar higher because of the incredible need in our communities,” Wise said. “Through their tireless efforts and the generous donations made by countless individuals, companies and organizations we have a good chance to not only reach the board goal but also our stretch target of $2.9 million.”

In the coming weeks, Genesee County residents will get a chance to help their fellow residents as the United Way embarks on its final phase of the 2011-12 campaign. Wise said the agency will contact potential donors through phone calls, direct mail and other media.

“The need in our communities continues to be great, exceeded only by the generosity of the people of Genesee County to make this a better place to live,” Wise said.

Donations to the United Way of Genesee County can be made in three ways:

Mobile: Text UWGC to 27722 to donate $10. Carrier fees and other charges may apply.

Online: Click the DONATE button in the upper left corner on http://www.unitedwaygenesee.org/

Mail: Send checks to the United Way of Genesee County, P.O. Box 949, Flint, MI 48501

Contact:

Tom Wickham

United Way of Genesee County Marketing Chairman

248-707-9064

Tebowmania, Linsanity and the American Autoworker

What’s not to love about an underdog coming off the bench and leading a team to victory, not just once but multiple times?

We saw that during the recent NFL season when Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow made improbable win after improbable win and led the team to the playoffs.

We are witnessing it as New York Knicks Jeremy Lin leads his hapless basketball team to an improbable 6-game winning streak. It’s too early to say if he will “save” the season and lead the Knicks to the NBA playoffs.

What’s special about Tebow and Lin is that no one really expected them to excel. Tebow, despite his stellar college career, has not been given much of a chance to succeed in the NFL. Lin’s background is even less impressive than Tebow’s; Lin played for Harvard and has bounced around the NBA in his short basketball career.

But their feats have captivated the nation as people debate how Tebow and Lin can succeed against such staggering odds.

Lin’s recent exploits got me thinking about how we, as a society, attach significance to the underdog. Frankly, we love to see the underdog win. We love to see David and Goliath battles with the underdog vanquishing a more powerful force.

That said, do we always have to ascribe these comparisons to sports?

Why can’t we look at the underdogs in everyday life and talk about how they accomplish Tebow- or Lin-inspired feats and go unnoticed?

For the purpose of this article, let me talk about the American Autoworker as the underdog.

Yes, the American Autoworker.

By this point, the critics of the American Autoworker are sharpening their virtual pens and are ready to pounce, extolling to all how the American Autoworker was to blame for the near collapse of the domestic auto industry. After all, they will argue, the UAW and automakers brought this disaster upon themselves and did not deserve to be bailed out by two presidents (a Republican and a Democrat).

These same critics may argue that I am too close to the situation, being 12 years removed from a journalism career. My view, as a PR professional, is surely slanted to spin the story for the benefit of the company and the union.

My response?

If you don’t believe me, just talk to someone who works for GM or even Chrysler, our brethren (and competitor) down the road who also benefited from taxpayer support.

Underdog stories abound in our companies, from the shop floor to the executive suites. People who spent years – decades in some cases – toiling in less ideal conditions are stepping up and contributing to their company’s success like never before.

At GM, I just need to look at 7,000 people who work for GM in the Flint area to see that these underdogs are out-Tebowing Tebow and out-Linning Lin each and every day.

They are a smart, caring and humble group of people, so let me share some insight into why they are succeeding against the odds.

Family. Community. Customers.

Family: Going through bankruptcy and making personal and professional sacrifices served as a wake-up call for everyone. We don’t take our fortunes – having a job with pay and benefits – for granted. We have been given a second chance and we don’t intend to blow it by slacking off. After all, we have families, too, and our success is important for our spouses and children.

Community: As grateful as we are to have our jobs, we are also very aware many more people are not as fortunate. Our underdogs give generously of their time and money to help people in their communities. To put a finer point on it, our Flint-area UAW-GM team raises well over a half million dollars a year through employee contributions to help the United Way and countless other charities.

Customers: We are quite aware that we are in business to make our customers happy. Yes, I know, the old maxim is to sell vehicles, but we are not going to sell vehicles to unhappy customers. So, our autoworker underdogs are even more diligent in identifying and correcting problems that could lead to an unpleasant customer experience.

I have been fortunate for almost three years to witness the perseverance and resolve of the American Autoworker up close. It has been a rough road, one with plenty of obstacles and opportunities, but the American Autoworkers I know continue to tough it out, elevating their level of play.

The effect has been profound. At GM our products are better, customers are happier and sales and profits are improving.

But we cannot and should not claim victory. The underdog, despite his or her best efforts, cannot guarantee victory. Tebow knew and accepted that reality. His team lost in the playoffs. Lin’s winning streak will come to an end and the Knicks may not make the playoffs, but I am sure Lin will keep playing “lights out” basketball.

We, in the auto industry, have good days and bad days, too. And like Tebow and Lin, we’ll shrug off the bad days, redouble our efforts and prove to the critics and doubters that we are here to stay.