United Way of Odessa kicks off 2022 campaign
Aug. 18—The United Way of Odessa kicked off its 2022 Campaign for this year's fundraiser with a ceremony Thursday at the Odessa College Saulsbury Campus Amphitheater.
Founded in 1951, the United Way of Odessa supports local programs that impact the lives of 1 in every 3 Odessans.
Currently, United Way of Odessa partners with 16 local partner agencies and 21 programs providing services in health, education and self sufficiency.
"We fundraise from August through the end of the year," Executive Director of the United Way of Odessa Christina Escobar said after the ceremony. "We go out to businesses, any business that allows us to come in and talk to their employees. That's how we raise 40 percent of our revenue to support local nonprofits. Those are the nonprofits that we're all familiar with that provides social services. Those programs being from the Boys and Girls Club or Catholic Charities, they're seeing those clients on a daily basis, providing much needed service but we're in the background, providing them with support to be able to continue their services."
The United Way also provides additional funding through venture grants to United Way of Odessa.
This year's theme is "Come Set Sail." The United Way of Odessa service region currently encompasses nine counties.
"We reach all the way into Culberson County which is pretty much Van Horn and it extends south to Brewster County," Escobar said. "It's a very broad area where we provide service to clients in need."
This year's guest speaker was Odessa businessman Austin Keith.
"It's a beautiful West Texas morning and it's great to see everyone here at Odessa College this morning," Keith said during the ceremony. "I also want to give some recognition to Odessa College for allowing us to have this kickoff campaign here."
During his speech, Keith shared a few items including the mission of the United Way of Odessa.
"It improves the lives by mobilizing and caring and powering our community to advance the common good in areas of both education and health and self sufficiency," Keith said. "There are 16 agencies and vital social services that they provide."
Keith also talked about how the Permian Basin has been affected by the pandemic these last two years.
"We in the Permian Basin have been affected by a perfect COVID storm," Keith said. "But you know what? We're going to come out of it. We're going to be stronger for what we do for coming out of it. ... One thing about it, during that time, the United Way was there for our agencies. I know we had some monetary issues and the United Way stepped up."
Dewey Bryant, who is this year's Campaign Chairman, also spoke during the ceremony, quoting former college football head coach Lou Holtz.
"Lou Holtz had exactly in mind this team at united way when he said 'remember, every day, some ordinary person does something extraordinary,'" Bryant said. "Today it's our turn."
The goal for this year's fundraiser is to raise $1,500,000.
"Leaders throughout Odessa are working hard within their industries to help make sure we reach this goal," Bryant said.
During the ceremony, a few check presentations were made including a $10,000 check from H-E-B, a $2,000 check from ATMOS Energy and $3,000 from First Financial Bank.
"Our community is very supportive," Escobar said. "They help us achieve that mission. We need our community to allow us to achieve our workplace campaigns. Let us come in. Let us talk. Let us come in and talk to employees and garner some donations. That is how we raise the majority of our revenue by saying 'here's five dollars out of my payroll, here's $10.' It goes a long way. Let us come in. We are making calls. Call us and we can come in and achieve that."
To learn more about the campaign, go to tinyurl.com/3mb8usn2.
