Orange County United Way’s annual 5K Walk raises nearly $250,000 to tackle education, income, health and housing needs of local residents
ANAHEIM, CA (April 22, 2015) – More than 3,600 individuals in support of a stronger Orange County took the field Sunday at Angel Stadium for the 7th Annual WALK UNITED 5K walk and community festival.
The event, presented by Wells Fargo, with lead sponsors the Orange County Register, Edison International, Automobile Club of Southern California, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and many other corporate champions, helped to raise nearly $250,000 for United Way’s “FACE 2024” community-wide action plan tackling the long-term education, income, health and housing needs of Orange County residents.
“This is an incredible show of support from our community,” announced Max Gardner, Orange County United Way President and CEO, just prior to leading the thousands of walkers on the 5K trek in and around Angel Stadium. “By being here today, you’re showing you’re ready to take steps to create a stronger, healthier Orange County.”
Within the 5K route, walkers experienced an array of sights, sounds and tastes as some of OC’s most popular food trucks served up nutritious fare amidst crowd-pleasing rock n’ roll bands, stellar performances from many of United Way’s partner high schools including marching bands, a drumline band, cheerleading squads and hip hop dancers. Robert Castillo’s BMX Freestyle stunt show dazzled crowds in United Way’s Kids’ Zone, where families enjoyed bounce houses, face painting and balloon and tattoo artistry.
Under Angel Stadium’s iconic red hats, United Way presented a compelling expo—highlighting partnering agencies and lead sponsors—including interactive displays and activities focused on the organization’s FACE 2024 goals. These goals are to:
- EDUCATION: cut the high school dropout rate in half
- INCOME: reduce the percentage of financially unstable families by 25 percent
- HEALTH: increase the number of healthy youth by one-third, with a focus on childhood obesity prevention
- HOUSING: cut the percentage of homeless and housing-insecure children in Orange County by half
Steve Churm, Vice President of the Orange County Register and Freedom Communications and co-chair of WALK UNITED, is passionate about the goals set out in this bold action plan.
“Education, income, health and housing are the most critical issues we face as a community because they are universally regarded as the building blocks to a better life,” Churm explained. “WALK UNITED not only helps raise the funds necessary to support this effort, it’s an important point-of-entry for those who never realized they could make a positive impact in the lives of others.”
Churm was one of over 150 Register and Freedom employees taking part in WALK UNITED. Co-chair and fellow United Way board member, Paula Campbell, Director of Strategy Implementation for Edison International, joined Churm on the podium and led her team of 50+ strong colleagues and friends.
Special honors were handed out to three outstanding organizations at the kick-off of WALK UNITED 2015. Western National Group was honored with Top Fundraising Team, Susan Arita was top individual fundraiser and the company with the most walkers receiving the Corporate Challenge Award was Wells Fargo.
Orange County United Way thanks all of the generous companies and their employees who supported WALK UNITED 2015:
Presenting Sponsor
Wells Fargo
Grand Slam Sponsor
The Orange County Register
Home Run Sponsor
Edison International
Third Base Sponsors
Automobile Club of Southern California
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Media Sponsors
ESPN LA
Go Country 105FM
Second Base Sponsors
Advanced Sterilization Products
AT&T
Chevron
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Fluor
KPMG LLP
First Base Sponsors
Alcon Chapman University – Argyros School of Business & Economics
Crowell & Moring First Bank
FirstService Residential
NuVision Federal Credit Union
SES Insurance Brokerage Services
USOC Medical
Western National Group
NEWS CONTACTS:
Michael Suydam
21Strat 949.981.5008, mike@21strat.com
Katherine Ransom, Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Orange County United Way 949.263.6176, katheriner@unitedwayoc.org
ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY UNITED WAY
Since 1924, Orange County United Way has been working to improve lives and strengthen our community by mobilizing the caring power of Orange County and focusing on the building blocks for a good quality of life: Education, Income, Health and Housing. By investing in Orange County children, families and individuals, we help them create pathways to self-sufficient lives. In short, we help people help themselves. Through our 10-year community-wide action plan, “FACE 2024” (an acronym for Fund, Advocate, Collaborate, Educate), we collaborate with local businesses, community organizations, governmental agencies and individuals to make a long-term measurable difference in the lives of local individuals and families. To learn more or to join our movement, visitwww.unitedwayoc.org.
