The United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) has announced a record-breaking 2020 campaign raising $1.5 million over the goal amount for a total of $36 million. This total reflects pledge estimates and not the final results of companies still conducting campaigns or people who have not renewed pledges in writing.

“The 2020 campaign is one for the records, exceeding our goal by more than any other campaign in UWCA’s 97-year history,” said 2020 campaign chair Greg King, regional president at Iberiabank. “We are proud of how the United Way campaign team adapted to the realities of 2020 and wrote a new playbook for success to make hope happen. Everything had to be done differently, and our team, volunteers and donors rose to the challenge.”

With COVID-19 impacting the way UWCA connects with donors, digital efforts replaced the traditional in-person touchpoints typically used by the organization. Although this year’s campaign raised less than the 2019 campaign, being a year amid the global pandemic and many other obstacles, the final amount still exceeded expectations.

United Way of Central Alabama exceeds 2020 fundraising goal from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

“At United Way, we have the belief that we are a community asset – owned by the community, led by volunteers and managed by staff,” said UWCA President and CEO Drew Langloh. “I’m humbled by everyone that came together to lend their time, talent and treasures during a time when it’s not easy to do and the needs of the community are incredibly great.”

Birmingham is one of the most generous communities in the country, continually ranking the UWCA in the nation’s Top 10 United Way chapters. Year after year, the community supports the UWCA’s mission and network of more than 80 member agencies and programs. Each gift is a direct investment in central Alabama’s future and is put to work in ways that align with the community’s greatest needs, Langloh said.

During a virtual press conference, thanks poured in from agencies that receive support, resources and assistance from UWCA, like the Salvation Army, The DAY Program, Children’s Aid Society, Childcare Resources, American Cancer Society, Shelby Emergency Assistance, Blount County Children’s Center, Workshops Inc., Better Basics and Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.

Since 1923, UWCA has supported a network of health and human service organizations that meet the needs in communities of Jefferson, Shelby, Walker, Blount, St. Clair and Chilton counties. United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community, Langloh said.

For more information on UWCA or ways to get involved, visit www.uwca.org.