United Fund of Surry campaign at 47 percent of goalprintUnited Fund of Surry 
campaign at 47 percent of goal
by Staff Report Mount Airy News 
11.15.11 - 09:40 pm
 The United Fund of Surry’s annual campaign is near the halfway mark of their 
$525,000 goal this year, but still needs support from local businesses and 
individuals to meet the funding needs of their 26 agencies, according to 
campaign manager Beth Pequeno.
She said many businesses have shown their support of their community by 
conducting employee campaigns which allows employees to deduct a chosen amount 
from their paychecks.
“Even small amounts from each employee can make a huge difference when combined 
with amounts from other employees,” said Pequeno. “No donation is too small. 
Each one makes something positive happen in our community through one of our 
agencies.”
Pequeno said the agency is especially proud of the employees at United Plastics 
this year. She said they increased their participation and therefore the 
donation amount as a company increased by more than 470 percent from last year 
with a donation of $5,200.
President and CEO Nick Antonecchia said, “We are extremely proud of our 
employees and how they saw the importance of helping their community by 
contributing through payroll deduction.”
Kate Appler, executive director of United Fund of Surry, referred to United 
Plastics as a “model campaign.”
“This is a perfect example of increasing the number of employees participating 
having a tremendous impart on the company’s overall donation. They are certainly 
role models for supporting the United Fund to strengthen our community as a 
whole.”
Another company which continues to be the largest contributor to the campaign is 
Renfro Corporation. Consistently, Renfro employees have been large supporters of 
United Fund, and this year they even exceeded their own goal.
“The fact that our company is performing well is reflected in our donation of 
over $70,000,” said Dave Green, head of Human Resources. “I believe the 
employees feel more comfortable in their ability to help those in need in our 
community. We are extremely proud of them and the way they continue to support 
the United Fund.”
Pequeno said both of these companies and many others throughout Surry County are 
embracing the idea this year of each employee considering a pledge of $1 a week 
if they have never contributed before.
“We tell them that even $52 a year can make a difference in someone’s life. For 
$50 you can provide a shut-in senior 25 meals through Meals-on-Wheels or 293 
pounds of food to a family through Yokefellow. Each donation makes something 
positive happen to someone in your community,” said Pequeno.
The United Fund of Surry funds 26 agencies serving youth development, the 
special needs population, and elderly/hospice care. These agencies provide such 
services as emergency medical services, delivering meals to the home bound, 
child abuse/neglect intervention, medical care for working poor, food for needy, 
and housing for low income families and so forth. The United Fund of Surry also 
funds 2-1-1 the number to call if you are in need of services, much like 911 is 
for emergencies. 2-1-1 is a resource center connecting callers who have needs 
with agencies who provide services. All the money raised by the United Fund of 
Surry stays locally. The United Fund of Surry is governed by a volunteer board 
of directors. For more Information, visit our website at 
www.unitedfundofsurry.org.



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