GEICO associates are convinced they can make it a repeat. They want to duplicate or even better last year’s $1 million pledge campaign to benefit United Way of Long Island.
To top it off, when GEICO associates reached the $1 million pledge mark last year, they got a 100 percent matching gift through the GEICO Philanthropic Foundation, bringing the grand total to $2 million for local area organizations.
Throughout the new campaign, the GEICO Gecko is being referred to as “Super G,” which translates to “Generosity” and “Gratitude.” GEICO associates proved they had both when a look back shows that more than 84 percent of them regularly take part in the giving campaign and steadily increase their pledges year after near. The United Way’s YouthBuild and Mission United are among those programs that benefit from their “Super G” efforts.
“We just had a celebration to kick off the new pledge campaign,” said Rick Hoagland, vice president of GEICO’s regional center in Woodbury. “Our associates understand they have a massive impact on our communities here on Long Island, so it’s a very special event for us. Over the years I’ve really come to appreciate the work that United Way does for our neighbors, and we here at GEICO are proud to be part of that positive momentum.”
“This gift from the associates helps move mountains and finance futures,” added Theresa A. Regnante, President and CEO of United Way of Long Island. “With each donation, they are giving in faith that they will help someone they don’t even know and make a difference. There are countless stories of people whose lives have been changed, and GEICO is the engine that finances all the good things that are happening.”
GEICO’s Victoria Fuchs, bodily injury claims supervisor and manager of the campaign, is eager to get this campaign in full swing. “We’ve made progress every single year. I’m elated at the dedication our associates demonstrate at helping those around us, and I know we’re all looking forward to setting new records.”
Maureen Weldon, vice president of resource development with the United Way of Long Island discussed the importance of the GEICO workplace campaign. “I’ve seen it grow from a $250,000 campaign to a $2,000,000 campaign with over 2,700 associates participating in this region alone,” Weldon said. “Hearing our volunteers and veterans’ stories helps show how committed GEICO and the United Way of Long Island are in helping the community and those who have served our nation. We couldn’t be happier to be a national partner of GEICO, they are the perfect partner in every way, shape and form.”
According to Hoagland, “Changing lives for the better is at the core of what the United Way of Long Island does. We’re happy to provide our support.” Hoagland was recently elected to serve on the board of directors for United Way of Long Island.
Top photo caption: United Way of Long Island's President and CEO Theresa A. Regnante and Maureen Weldon, resource development account executive with Rick Hoagland, vice president of GEICO's regional center in Woodbury and Board of Directors member join Tori Fuchs, GEICO United Way Campaign Chairperson, Deena Menendez, GEICO associate and Team Mission United marathon runner, and members of the United Way Volunteer Campaign Council Jim Moehringer, Mike DeVivo and John Conrad to celebrate the kick-off of the 2016 campaign.