Devon employees continually demonstrate their support of their communities through successful United Way campaigns each year.
It takes numerous employee volunteers working behind the scenes to ensure a successful campaign in their communities. Whether by volunteering their time or donating their own money, employees willingly give to the cause.
By contributing to United Way, employees know they are making a difference in the lives of many in their communities. Devon matches employee contributions dollar for dollar, doubling United Way’s efforts in areas across North America.
In 2010, Devon employees demonstrated the “Power of U” by again showing their generosity during this year’s United Way campaign and bringing in a total of approximately $3.37 million (U.S. dollars) to support the organization in their respective communities.
The superhero theme pumped up employees and served as a strong motivator for their campaigns, but employees proved that a super power is not needed to make a difference in the lives of others. Through pledges, silent auction purchases, department fundraising competitions and more, employees again stepped up for the worthwhile cause.
U.S.
After watching their campaign chairmen, Pipeline Operations Manager Mark Grinnell and Operations Manager Jay Ewing, fly in on a plane like superheroes for their kick-off, North Texas employees exceeded their fundraising goal of $260,000. They contributed $310,187 with the Devon match and also increased their participation by 12 percent.
Another highlight of the North Texas campaign was when Ewing and Grinnell shaved their heads in response to a challenge for employees to reach their participation goal.
Employees in Krebs, Okla., also did their part this year by participating in the Days of Caring for United Way of Southeastern Oklahoma. Their efforts earned them an Environmental Excellence Award from Keep Oklahoma Beautiful.
Devon volunteers planted trees, renewed flower beds at the local Girl Scouts headquarters, restored and repaired benches, constructed a concrete trail and cleaned and repaired a local ball field for the Boys and Girls Club in nearby McAlester, Okla. Employees also repaired items in the overgrown yard of a disabled elderly woman, taking away a truckload of items in the process.
In Oklahoma City, employees contributed $762,500 during the week-long United Way campaign. With the Devon match, the total contribution was approximately $1.53 million, surpassing the contribution goal of $1.5 million. Oklahoma City employees showed their
superhero skills through the annual department video contest, learned more about the agencies by participating in mystery agency tours and attended a Super Power Lunch to raise money for United Way.
Houston employees also displayed heroic acts in their own department video contest and ended up raising more than $178,458, or $356,916, for United Way of Greater Houston with the company match.
Canada
“We achieved 98.5 percent participation – our highest participation rate ever,” said Avie Hutchinson, manager of Foothills Exploration and co-sponsor of the 2010 campaign.
Everyone’s combined effort produced a total of $1,195,602, with the Devon match, to the United Way of Calgary.
Additionally, more than 500 Canada employees volunteered more than 2,000 hours in the community for the United Way Days of Caring volunteer activities.
Employees from the Bonnyville office volunteered to re-fence the dog runs at the local humane society and updated electrical wiring and made carpentry repairs at the Ashlin Gymnastics Club.
More than 100 employees from the Facilities and Construction team renovated a one-bedroom suite in an apartment building owned by the Boys and Girls Club of Calgary in just six days and on a $5,000 budget.
Field
Devon U.S. field offices, including those in New Mexico, Montana and Wyoming, also made a difference for United Way, raising a total of $70,540 for the cause in their communities.
Credit to the great campaigns across the company goes to the numerous campaign volunteers and, most importantly, the employees for their very generous donations.