The theme for the 2007-2008 campaign is “Pulling Together for United Way”.  Members of the Creative Services Department at ConocoPhillips are responsible for the design for this year’s campaign. 

For almost 70 years, citizens in the Ponca City area have been pulling together for United Way.  From as early as 1938, through wars, the oil boom and bust, and whatever else has occurred the community, citizens have always pulled together to help make Ponca City a better place to live.

“Pulling Together for United Way” is a fitting theme for this Centennial year to commemorate the past and look to the future”, says Janice Myers, 2007-2008 campaign chair.  “People are ‘pulling together” to strengthen family and nurture children and youth, to respond to crisis and help achieve stability, and to promote health and support older adults.  These are the areas that United Way and its member agencies are focusing on to help make our community a better place to live” continues Myers.  To help support these efforts, the goal for the 2007-2008 campaign has been set at $760,000.

The pioneer spirit of Oklahoma is alive and well at United Way as hundreds of volunteers stand tall and ask their fellow citizens to invest in United Way and its member agencies.  Those volunteers who will be leading the way in 2007 include cabinet members: Janice Myers as campaign chair, Jeff Cowan with RCB Pioneer Bank as Assistant campaign chair.  Business and Industry is being chaired by Sarah Troutman from Stolhand Heat and Air, Commerce is chaired by Teresa Smith from Pioneer Technology Center, ConocoPhillips chair is Audrey Allen, Larry Murphy and Joe Theobald with Murphy Insurance are teaming up again to chair the Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (FIRE) division, Major Companies/Loaned Executive division is chaired by Debra Altman with Loftis Wetzel Insurance, Yinka Ogundipe with Cancer and Blood Care is chairing the Professional division.  The Public Service division is chaired by Terry Brown with the City of Ponca City is running the city campaign and Dr. Nancy Niemann with the Ponca City Schools is handling the school campaign, Janet Martin with Eastman National Bank is chairing the Services division and Ralph and Pauletta Beaty are again chairing the Residential campaign division.  Phil Turney, Publicity committee chair for the United Way board of directors, is responsible for the campaign publicity.

Loaned Executives in the saddle this year to assist the 41 major companies in the area include:  Debra Altman with Loftis Wetzel Insurance, Regina Bookout with Continental Carbon, Lanita Chapman from Pioneer Technology Center, and Becky Davis, retired.  Others include Jacque Clark from First National Bank of Oklahoma, Frank Kennedy with Home National Bank, and Joe DeNoya with Pemberton Chevrolet.  Newcomers Mike Swinehart with Pioneer Technology Center and Michele Franseen from Ponca City Medical Center have joined the loaned executive team.   Janice Myers, chair, assistant chair Jeff Cowan, and Deb Altman, loaned executive chair will also act as loaned executives.  On Wednesday, July 25, United Way held its loaned executive orientation.

“ConocoPhillips has again donated the printing of the brochures, pledge cards and posters, which enables more dollars raised to go to member agencies” says Melissa Young, United Way Campaign Director.  “We appreciate all ConocoPhillips does on our behalf.”

United Way of Ponca City helps support the following 13 member agencies: American Red Cross, Arthritis Foundation, Girl Scouts-Bluestem Council, Boy Scouts of America-Cimarron Council, Child Development Center, Domestic Violence Program, Golden Villa Adult Day Services, New Emergency Resource Agency, Northern OK Youth Services, Peachtree Landing, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), The Salvation Army, and YMCA. 

Pulling Together is how the great state of Oklahoma was built.  Oklahoma brought together people of different shapes and sizes, different qualities and talents, standing tall with a pioneer spirit to build a great place to live, work and create a better future.  That’s what matters.

If you have questions about how your investment is used, or would like more information about United Way or the 13 member agencies, please call the United Way office at 765-2476.