Farmington, Conn., Jan. 6, 2005

Carrier employees throughout North America rallied in support of the 2004 United Way Campaign. Through creative fundraising events and active volunteering excursions, Carrier employees seized the opportunity to help the United Way achieve its campaign goals. As a result of a unified effort, 12 local United Ways around North America received support from Carrier and its employees.

“Carrier and all of UTC have a long and robust commitment to the United Way. Our annual support provides crucial funding for vital agencies that serve the communities in the Hartford area and North America,” said Geraud Darnis, president, Carrier Corporation. The success of this year’s campaign demonstrated Carrier’s shared sense of commitment to helping people in need in nearby communities.

Below are a few highlights demonstrating Carrier employees’ generosity and active support for the 2004 United Way Campaign:

Chuck Balawajder, vice-president of Information Systems, led the charge as Chairman of the 2004 United Way Community Campaign for Carrier World Headquarters (WHQ), with Nancy Lintner, vice-president, Communications, serving as Co-chair. Aiming to best their record contribution of more than $297,000 and 94% employee participation rate in 2003, the WHQ campaign featured many popular fundraising events, including the online Silent Auction, Carrier’s Golf Tournament and Breakfast with the Bosses.   

In celebration of United Way’s annual Day of Caring, a dedicated team of 15 from WHQ also volunteered to groom the trails at Hartford’s Camp Courant – cutting trees, carrying logs, spreading wood chips and saw dust, and building bridges. The camp, which is the largest free day camp in the nation, serving up to 2,000 Hartford children during the summer season, has a three-quarter mile hiking trail that repeatedly suffers damage by heavy rains. Carrier volunteers worked tirelessly to build bridges out of tree trunks and wooden planks in the muddy area of the trail, enabling campers to walk more safely and securely along the trail. 

Carrier Plant in Tyler, TexasMarking its “best year ever” in terms of participation and contribution levels, the Carrier plant in Tyler, Texas yielded an estimated $117,883 in employee pledges – an increase of 30 percent from the previous year. Employee participation levels were 68 percent salary and 48 percent hourly. Lead by hourly employee and loaned executive Joe Turner and the plant’s Unity Council, Tyler’s fundraising efforts included payroll deductions offered to participants who wanted to enter this year’s raffle, which featured coveted prizes such as a Bose stereo system and two Dallas Mavericks weekends.

The MagicAire plant in Wichita Falls, Texas held their first United Way campaign in more than five years. The company had a participation rate of 39 percent, totaling pledges of $10,260. Successfully led by Connie Reed, customer service associate, and assisted by committee members: Brian Ross, senior manufacturing engineer, Patsy Gray, Lisa Pradel and Teresa Mannion (all production employees), the team scheduled five rallies featuring remarks from Ron Duncan, general manager and a representative from a local United Way agency. They also held a drawing to encourage employee pledge participation. Terry Connor was the lucky winner of $100 gift card to Wal-Mart.

In recognition of its effort, MagicAire received the Ground Breaking Award from the local United Way chapter, presented to companies during the first year of running a successful campaign.

Carrier Plant in Collierville, TennesseeCarrier’s Collierville plant raised a record setting $115,048 for their local United Way campaign in 2004. Their creative fundraising efforts included an open mic talent contest, featuring amazing singing talent and musical performances from the Collierville staff. The entire plant came out to support the 12 performances during their lunch breaks, and the winners were: 1st place - $100 to Darrin Owens; 2nd place - $50 to Joyce Scott; and 3rd place - $25 to Jo Ann Boyd. The committee also solicited businesses around the Memphis area to donate certificates, food and services to the facility to help in the drive.