The ORNL total of $835,467 - the largest for any campaign in the region - includes employee contributions of some $760,000, plus a corporate donation of $74,961 by ORNL managing contractor UT-Battelle. The total was raised at the same time that a separate laboratory effort generated nearly $168,000 in support of hurricane relief efforts.
"We are so grateful to ORNL employees for their continued generosity," said Ben Landers, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Knoxville. "UT-Battelle is the largest single contributor to the several United Ways serving the Tennessee Valley. We are particularly appreciative of their employees' giving spirit this year, when many of our local agencies are continuing their usual work while also providing support for displaced Americans from the Gulf region. It's wonderful to see the ORNL folks stepping up to help meet all these needs."
ORNL Director Jeff Wadsworth said UT-Battelle's impressive United Way involvement continues to be a point of pride for the laboratory and its employees.
"During a year when they have given so generously to hurricane and tsunami relief and dozens of volunteer service projects for worthy causes in our area, ORNL staff also have stepped forward to make this the second consecutive year of record contributions to the United Way," Wadsworth said. "These totals are indicative of our employees' generosity and commitment to helping others. I'm extremely proud of and grateful to our staff."
Lee Riedinger, ORNL campaign chairman, said special activities - including a free-throw shooting competition, book fairs and the popular International Festival - added more than $13,000 to this year's campaign coffers.
"We particularly appreciate the participation of members of the Lady Vol basketball program, who helped us 'tip off' our drive." Riedinger said. "This is an outstanding example of the volunteer spirit of the ORNL staff and the entire community."
ORNL donations include the following approximate amounts to counties in the region: Anderson, $263,000; Blount, $20,000; Campbell, $9,300; Knox, $340,000; Loudon, $43,000; McMinn, $1,700; Monroe, $4,400; Morgan, $30,000; Rhea, $3,300; Roane, $110,000; Sevier, $3,100; Union, $5,000.
UT-Battelle began managing ORNL, a multiprogram science and technology laboratory, for the Department of Energy in April 2000. The corporation has since donated more than $7 million to area and regional organizations in support of science and math education, economic development, civic programs, arts and culture, and volunteerism.