The GUC United Way Committee fundraising campaign kicks off on Wednesday, October 29th and runs through November 14th. The kickoff breakfast on October 29th provides an opportunity to highlight how supporting United Way improves lives in our community.
Both breakfast sessions will be in the Systems Support Building Training Room with one session beginning at 7:30 a.m. and the other at 8:30 a.m. Breakfast will be available and will include Peaden’s biscuits, fruit, and beverages.
To sign up, ask your department’s admin to register you for one of the sessions no later than Friday, October 24th.
United Way Committee Co-Chair Jessica Hardy said the event this year will showcase how GUC employees’ contributions directly impact the community. United Way of Pitt County’s (UWPC) executive staff will offer commentary on how they see the impact in their day-to-day work. There will also be a screening of a GUC-original video that not only features employee contributors, but also community organizations who benefit from UWPC, and details about how those agencies improve the quality of life for people in Pitt County.
“Our goal is to raise $40,000 this year,” Jessica said. “We’ve come very close to reaching that amount in recent years, and with everyone’s participation, I’m confident we can surpass it. If each employee donates just $5 per paycheck, we’ll not only meet our goal but exceed it.”
Don’t miss your chance to give and win! All donors will be entered into a raffle for prizes like a Cool Cabanas Tent, Tommy Bahama beach chairs, a Yeti Camino Tote Bag, AirPods Pro 2, a Nespresso machine, and more.
The committee has also launched a renewed awareness campaign this year to boost participation and support for the UWPC.
UWPC Community Impact
The money GUC employees contribute directly impacts the community in which we serve and live. United Way has been a pillar of support for those in need in Pitt County since 1958. This highly regarded organization leads the charge to strengthening education and access to essentials.
United Way’s focus on essentials is geared toward supporting local programs that provide resources to meet people’s basic needs. That includes access to food, safe housing, and crisis management as well as developing crisis management skills.
United Way programming for education is designed to support struggling, non-proficient young learners. The Early Grades Student Success Academy, a UWPC program, provides supplemental services to youth to boost academic achievement, mental health, life skills, and critical thinking, empowering them for future success.
Over the last decade, GUC employees have contributed $363,098 to UWPC.
The 2025 United Way committee members are Chair Branson Rogers (Gas); Co-Chair Jessica Hardy (Finance); Treasurer Emily Smith (Customer Relations); Secretary Andy Anderson (IT); Karin Fullington (Pub Info); Kristen Jarman (WWTP); Lauri Evans (WTP); Paige Wallace (General Manager’s Office); Brandon Jones (Meter); Lena Previll (HR); and Amanda Wall (Finance).
