As we’ve heard many times this year, 2020 has been filled with unprecedented challenges across the country. Central Iowa, home to Ruan’s headquarters, has experienced record levels of unemployment, education concerns in the time of a crisis, and widening poverty levels as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our community’s need for supportive programs, like those offered by the United Way of Central Iowa, is greater than ever.
Ruan’s Des Moines Campus team members recently participated in our annual campaign to raise funds for the United Way of Central Iowa. This year, the entire campaign was virtual, and yet our team members broke the previous fundraising record by more than $20,000! With Ruan’s dollar-for-dollar company match, we raised $290,652 for the United Way of Central Iowa. Through our donation, United Way of Central Iowa can fund 138 programs across 75 agencies. These programs include a newly created hotline (United Way 211) in which trained specialists will field phone calls for COVID-19 related concerns, as well as respond to texts and online messages to assist those in need with things like food, rent assistance, crisis intervention, and more.
Our virtual campaign included an online silent auction and virtual happy hours for young professionals interested in joining LINC, United Way’s young professionals affinity group. More than 100 team members placed bids in our silent auction, which included a number of items donated by our generous vendors and raised nearly $8,000. Perhaps one of the greatest successes from our campaign is the 500 percent increase in Ruan team members enrolled in LINC, up to 35 participants. This newly expanded group within Ruan will volunteer in the community, participate in networking events, and help Ruan’s young professional network continue to expand.
“Ruan is filled with a great sense of pride in watching our team members across the country who have given so much to those around us in their greatest time of need. Over our 88-year journey, the Ruan commitment of giving back, being humble, and making a difference in the lives of people who need assistance remains stronger than ever,” said Ruan Senior Vice President and campaign chair Chris Fish. “I am proud of our team members for giving at a record level this year. Their dollars will go far to serve the needs of Central Iowans.”