Posted: Tuesday, March 9, 2010 2:18 pm

Blackman High School cheerleaders helped celebrate the end of another successful United Way campaign. TMP/M. Willard

The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties ended its 2009 campaign Tuesday with a Community Celebration at World Outreach Church.

Click here to see a photo gallery.

The organization raised $2,339,460.19 in the 2009 campaign. It’s goal was $2.8 million.

In honor of the companies and organizations that pushed the United Way toward its yearly goal, here is a special online Top 10 Campaigns of 2009.

10. Heritage Farms Dairy raised $42,598.80.
9. MTSU raised $52,734.28.
8. Yates Services raised $59,433.08.
7. Bridgestone of La Vergne and USW Local 155 raised $71,998.36.
6. Ingram Content Group raised $90,407.03.
5. State Farm raised $99,476.10.
4. Nissan raised $131,250.
3. Rutherford County Schools and government raised $170,037.78.
2. Publix raised $239,264.
1. General Mills raised $557,442.08.

The United Way will use this money in the coming year to support 45 partner agencies throughout Rutherford and Cannon counties.

Individuals recognized during the Community Celebration included this year’s United Way Loaned Executives, which are employees from various companies that are loaned to United Way for assistance during the campaign while the employer continues to pay salary and expenses. The 2009-2010 Loaned Executive roster consisted of:
·  Josh Anderson – General Mills
·  Danny Bertotti – Atmos Energy
·  Lori Caldwell – Bridgestone La Vergne Plant
·  Kara Greer - Bridgestone LaVergne Plant
·  Kajeen Goetz Irwin – State Farm
·  Tim Johnson – General Mills
·  Doug Kutella – General Mills
·  Steve Lanham – First Bank
·  John Leonard – Bridgestone La Vergne Plant
·  Greg Pogue – The Daily News Journal
·  Lori Simmons – State Farm
 
Media partners, recognized for their contributions in marketing and communications pertaining to United Way over the past year, included
·  The Daily News Journal (Rutherford County)
·  The Murfreesboro Post (Rutherford County)
·  WGNS Radio (Rutherford County)
·  WBRY Radio (Cannon County)
·  Cannon Courier (Cannon County)

United Way recognized the best overall campaigns in each category, determined on total funds raised, special events held during the campaign, and overall development and depth of campaign. The following were recognized as best overall campaigns:
·  Best Overall Major Firms Campaign – State Farm Insurance
·  Best Overall Industry Campaign – The Daily News Journal
·  Best Overall Professionals Campaign – Guaranty Trust
·  Best Overall Health Services Campaign – Middle Tennessee Medical Center
·  Best Overall Public Service Campaign – Rutherford County Government and Schools
·  Best Overall Retail Campaign – Publix Supermarkets
·  Best Overall New Campaign – Asurion
·  Best Overall Company Campaign – General Mills
·  Best High School Campaign – Smyrna High School
·  Best Middle School Campaign – Christiana Middle School
·  Best Elementary School Campaign – David Youree Elementary
·  Best Overall School Campaign – Blackman High School
 
The Witherspoon Society Award, which is named after Don and Hanna Witherspoon, recognizes outstanding service to United Way and is awarded to Tocqueville-level donors who go above and beyond in their commitment and support for United Way. This year’s recipients were Drs. Russ and Sherry Galloway.

The remaining individuals recognized during the Community Celebration were the Campaign Cabinet. The cabinet assists with the overall planning and implementation of the United Way campaign. Andrew Oppmann served as the Campaign Chairman, and committee members included:
·  Jeff Craig
·  Doug Combs
·  Jenese Holland
·  John Hood
·  Chuck Lewis
·  Ben McCloud
·  Pat Murphy
·  Cathi Rowlison
·  Liz Rhea
 
The final announcement made during the event was that of the Chase the Cars Give-Away. Any donor who pledged $300.00 or more during the campaign became eligible to win their choice of one of two vehicles (a Chevy Aveo or Ford Focus) donated by the Alexander Automall. For the 2009-2010 campaign, 1,274 donors were eligible for the give-away. The winner of the vehicle will be announced through a reverse raffle on March 16th at Alexander Ford-Lincoln-Mercury.