United Way of the Bay Area’s “Adopt a Nonprofit” program was a success for the second year in a row! More than a dozen companies made it a joyous holiday season for 30+ nonprofits throughout the Bay Area.

Adopt a Nonprofit aims to connect some of our best nonprofit partners with generous Bay Area companies during the holiday season. Wish lists included requests for toys for needy children, as well as clothing and kitchen items for shelters that serve the homeless and victims of domestic violence. Some companies and their employees volunteered or hosted holiday parties at their adopted nonprofits, delivering wish-list gifts while visiting with the nonprofits and their clients.

Carol Johnson, executive director at St. Mary’s Senior Center, one of the participating nonprofits, said, “We are so excited about the people from Target coming and bringing their gifts for the seniors in our shelter. It’s great when people come and serve lunch, spend a little time and say hello. Taking time off work to be here, to talk to our seniors and be with them – that says that they matter. That is the gift that’s priceless.”

Special kudos to Target, which donated more than $8,000 to fulfill 27 wish lists andprovided more than 30 decorated Christmas trees to deck the halls and the homes at local nonprofits and the families that they serve.

In addition, thanks to Frito Lay for their outstanding efforts with collecting toys and assembling blankets and shoe bags for needy children. Thanks also to United Way’s Emerging Leaders program, whose members stepped forward to fulfill a wish list.

United Way and our nonprofit partners would like to thank all the participating companies for their gifts: 

• BRE Properties 
• Callan
• Chevron
• Frito Lay
• KGO-TV
• Natixis
• Sears Holding
• Target

Get your company involved:  contact Kim Pham at 415-808-4345 or kpham@uwba.org for more information about United Way’s next corporate volunteer/donation opportunity.

On December 16, the Bay Area General Counsel Group and United Way of the Bay Area announced the 2010 Koko Challenge Award winners during a ceremony hosted at the San Francisco offices of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker. The 23rd annual Koko Challenge recognized local law firms for running exceptional United Way fundraising campaigns by excelling in total dollars raised, innovation and enthusiasm. This year, 22 participating firms raised $1.45 million for charitable causes – up 7% over 2009.

The 2010 top award recipients, recognized by firm size, were:
• Baby Koko (1-45 attorneys) – Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP
• Little Koko (46-100 attorneys) – SNR Denton
• Big Koko (100+ attorneys) – Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

During the award ceremony, Koko Cabinet Chair Jay Price of Bank of America urged attendees to consider making an additional gift to support United Way and reach the $1.5 million goal of this year’s Challenge.  As a result, before the evening concluded, United Way received additional contributions totaling more than $17,000.

 If you would like to make a donation to the Koko Challenge, contact Danielle Cohen at dcohen@uwba.org or 415-808-4322.

“We at United Way congratulate and thank the Bay Area legal community for their exceptional fundraising efforts in this year’s Koko Challenge,” said Anne Wilson, chief executive officer of United Way of the Bay Area.  “Despite the tough economic climate, the firms and their attorneys stepped up, and even increased their giving over last year. Thank you for exemplifying what it means to LIVE UNITED.”

Read the press release.

Valero recently kicked off its 2010 United Way Campaign with a chili cook-off at the company’s Benicia Refinery. Valero employee-chefs vied for bragging rights and the coveted People’s Choice award. Check out photos from the festivities below.

Click to see more fun ideas for events and activities your company can host during its United Way campaign.

The night before the chili cook-off, Valero held its annual Leadership Giving Reception and raised more than $180,000 from donors who each pledged $1,000 or more. Since 2002, Valero has contributed $6.3 million to United Way’s Bay Area Community Fund to support programs such as SparkPoint, 211 and Earn It! Keep It! Save It!   This year, the company’s campaign theme is “Making Hope Happen.”

 “Valero’s partnership with United Way is a great example of how a company can achieve maximum community impact on multiple fronts – through monetary donations, as well as the power of employee volunteers and the passion that accompanies it,” said United Way of the Bay Area CEO Anne Wilson. “We thank General Manager Doug Comeau and Valero leadership for nurturing such a strong culture of giving and volunteerism among employees.” Wilson noted that 200 Valero employees spent more than 1,000 hours volunteering last year during the company’s annual Month of Caring event.

Valero is fostering the spirit of volunteerism beyond its employees and helped to launch Solano County’s first volunteer center earlier this year. Valero Campaign Chair Joe Muehlbauer served on the Solano Volunteer Center planning committee. Valero also provided a financial gift and spoke at the Solano County Board of Supervisors in support of the Center. 

Valero’s exceptional employee giving and strong volunteerism have earned them United Way’s Spirit of the Bay Award twice, and the company is a two- time recipient of United Way Worldwide’s Spirit of America Award.

Valero Campaign Chair Joe Muehlbauer closed the chili kick-off with this powerful message, “ The most important thing is to get involved, and don’t do it alone. Get your family and friends to get out and give.  That is probably the most powerful thing we can do in our community. Because in order to make hope happen, I believe its going to take all of us. No one can do it alone”

Last week, United Way kicked-off our 22nd annual Koko Challenge at a gathering of law and community leaders hosted by Squire, Sanders & Dempsey. The Koko Challenge is a fundraising contest among local law firms that run United Way fundraising campaigns. The firms compete for top honors by excelling in total dollars raised, innovation and enthusiasm.  Scroll down to see a photo slide show of the kick-off festivities.

 Jay Price, who is chair of the 2010/11 Koko Cabinet, announced the fundraising goal of $1.5 million this year from the 21 participating law firms. Last year, 18 participating firms raised $1.4 million for charitable causes, setting a standard of excellence in philanthropy for the business community.

The Koko Cabinet is comprised of general counsel from United Way’s corporate partners and leaders within bay area law firms. Cabinet members recruit new law firms, lead volunteer efforts and provide support to all participating firms. 

2010/2011 United Way Koko Cabinet

• Jay Price, Bank of America – Chair 
• Michelle Banks, Gap Inc. – Vice Chair
• Hewitt Pate, Chevron Corporation
• James Potter, Del Monte Foods
• David Hearth, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
• Vanessa Washington, Bank of the West
• Charles Custer, Gordon & Rees, LLP
• Nancy Greenan Hamill, Law Office of Nancy Greenan Hamill
• Michael Kelly, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.
• Richard Kopf, The Fremont Group LLC
• William Sawyers, Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center
• James Strother, Wells Fargo Bank

For more information about how you can join the 2010-2011 Koko Challenge please contact Danielle Cohen (415)808-4322 or dcohen@uwba.org.

Read more about last year’s Koko Challenge.

Who says philanthropy can’t be fun? On Friday, September 10^th  Bank of America celebrated its 21^st Annual Golf Classic with all proceeds benefiting United Way of the Bay Area.

It was a fun day in the sun at Walnut Creek’s Boundary Oaks Golf Course, where the bank gathered over 90 golfers for a relaxing day in the sun to help support our community. The carts took to the course with a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start.  The course included several themed holes, including Closest to the Pin, the Tiger Hole, and the infamous Hole-in-One, where a lucky golfer had the chance to win a motorcycle if she or he was able to sink the ball in one swing.

Later in the day ,the golfers were joined by Raiderettes, Ashlee and Jessica, who encouraged players to give by selling raffle tickets for prizes that included a giant flat screen television, weekend getaways, and golf packages to name a few.

 The tournament ended with a banquet held at the club house where winners of the different challenges throughout the day were recognized.  At the end of the day, our community was the big winner, with more than $30,000 raised to help United Way of the Bay Area create pathways out of poverty.

 Brian Kilpatrick, Tournament Chair for the last few years had this to say, “Bank of America is very happy to continue its ongoing support of the United Way with the 21st edition of our Concord Tech Center Golf Tournament. 90+ golfers and over $30k in donations plus a great day of golfing and good food afterwards really made this event a great success. We look forward to our 22nd.”