Originally Published: April 23,2023
For United Way supporters, coming together makes a difference in the metro
By bringing together gifts of all sizes — United Way of the Midlands (UWM) makes the most of every donated dollar. We keep our pulse on community needs and ensure all funds are awarded to programs making the biggest community impact.
For Tim Burke with Omaha Chamber of Commerce, 2018 and 2022 Campaign Chair with his wife, Terri, supporting United Way is an easy choice. “It’s about helping those in need,” Burke said. “And UWM is one of the most-effective and efficient organizations, with more than 95 cents of every dollar raised going directly back into the hands of those who need it.”
Rob Reed with Physicians Mutual, incoming 2023 Campaign Chair with his wife, Stacie, shares a similar sentiment. “United Way has tremendous impact on the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro, a community we proudly call home,” Reed said. “Being involved at this level is a way for us to show our gratitude to a community we care so much about.”
Community impact also inspires Theresa McDermott and her husband, Greg, Creighton University men’s basketball coach, to donate. “We chose United Way as one of our ‘charities of choice’ because they support a diverse portfolio of organizations and programs that keep donations local, which is important to us,” McDermott said.
For Matt Dwyer with Greenslate Development, donating to UWM is all about giving back. “I am lucky. I was born with my health and very few obstacles in my path,” Dwyer said. “If I can be helpful to anyone who wasn’t quite that lucky, then it is my obligation to do so.”
John P. Nelson with Silverstone Group, also believes in giving back. “United Way reaches so many of the often-underserved families,” Nelson said. “I believe that those of us who have been fortunate have an obligation to help those who have fallen on difficult times.”
Responsibility and impact also inspire Paul Maass of Scoular and his wife, Julie. “The one thing that stands out is the impact UWM has across many non-profit organizations. I firmly believe their processes drive greater effectiveness of our community’s philanthropic efforts,” Maass said. “We believe it is our responsibility to give back …and we hope the things we do will inspire others.”
An interest in philanthropy and volunteerism led Ty Kreitman, incoming chair of UWM’s Emerging Leaders group, to United Way. “I was introduced to them through my employer’s campaigns and was inspired to contribute more directly,” Kreitman said. “Aggregating our resources to build a stronger and more resilient community takes collective action and altruistic leadership. UWM leads that effort with a foundation of kindness, empathy and compassion.”
And CyncHealth, in addition to being a 211 Helpline partner, also chooses to run an employee-giving campaign to support UWM. “We don’t often get to see the direct impact of our work,” said Rachel Heinz with CyncHealth. “But by partnering with UWM, we can see the immediate effects of our donations through programs that are present and involved in our own neighborhoods.”
Relationships are truly the heart and soul of United Way. Today we are proud to say we work with more than 600 organizations and 40,000 donors who believe in the work we do and the impact we make.
If you’d like to join these individuals and get involved, go to UnitedWayMidlands.org/Donate.
The Tocqueville Society
The Alexis de Tocqueville Society is comprised of donors who give at a level of $10,000 or more annually.
Since the Tocqueville Society was first founded in 1987 by 12 charter members — Andy and Marian Andersen, The Buffett Foundation, Alan and Marcia Baer Foundation, Robert Daugherty, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Durham, Charles M. Harper, Allan and Ann Mactier, Carl and Joyce Mammel, Walter and Suzanne Scott, Robert H. Storz, Bill and Jan Strauss, Michael and Gail Yanney — its members have been championing the work of United Way and encouraging others to do the same.
To date, more than $120 million in Tocqueville donations have been invested into our community.
And thanks to the leadership of 2022 Campaign Chairs Tim and Terri Burke, this year, UWM achieved 403 Tocqueville members — surpassing Mr. Warren Buffett’s Tocqueville Membership Challenge for the third year in a row! This means Mr. Buffett increased his generous match to 10% of UWM’s total campaign and more money will be invested into the Omaha-Council Bluffs community.