'Breakfast at Brick' to launch United Way drive

By Heather Warlick

Published: August 24, 2008

The 2008 United Way of Central Oklahoma campaign cabinet members met Aug. 14 for the last time before the 2008 fundraising campaign's official kickoff. "Breakfast at the Brick,” the annual pancake breakfast at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, will launch the campaign Sept. 5.

Headed by Chairman David Thompson of OPUBCO Communications Group, the 52 cabinet members gave reports of each division's progress toward achieving fundraising goals. Despite a lull in the national economy, members were confident that Oklahoma's relative economic stability will keep the campaign on track.

"I think the most important challenge is just having the ability to go out and ask people to consider giving,” Thompson said. "If we can do that, then we'll be successful.”

During the past two years, the United Way of Central Oklahoma has exceeded its goals. For 2006, the nonprofit raised a record-breaking $16.5 million, and last year it raised $18.1 million.

United Way of Central Oklahoma funds 130 state programs within 60 Partner Agencies. This year, three agencies were added to the family: The Homeless Alliance, Bethesda Inc. and Oklahoma United Methodist Circle of Care.

"We're totally focused in five areas, so when someone contributes to us or volunteers with us, their money or time is going to go to work for successful kids, strong families, healthy citizens, independent living and community preparedness,” said Erin Gillogly Brewer, vice president of marketing and communications for United Way of Central Oklahoma.

"Those five things really direct everything that we do.”

Thompson said: "The community desperately needs all of the agencies United Way supports financially. It's not about raising money, it's about saving lives and touching people.”

The organization will help about 350,000 Oklahomans this year. Funding comes primarily from individual donors, though many corporations match employee donations. One function of the cabinet members is to encourage individuals to give and companies to start up their own campaigns, commonly referred to as "Fair Share” programs.

"The most important thing we do is get people involved and go out and see what the actual agencies are doing,” said OGE Energy Corp.'s Pete Delaney, who is chairman elect of United Way of Central Oklahoma's campaign cabinet. "To touch people's hearts and see the impact these agencies are having and the people that really need help out there. "That's the most compelling way to get people to realize the benefit the United Way brings in the community.”

"Breakfast at the Brick” begins at 7:30 a.m. and is open to the public.

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