What are the fundamentals of fundraising? Just ask H-E-B! In the past five years, H-E-B has donated almost $6.5 million to the Central Texas area, and they just wrapped up their 2017 record-breaking United Way campaign at the end of October. From leadership giving to payroll pledges, all together H-E-B partners raised more than $1.37 million dollars for Central Texans this year. No matter the obstacle or odds, H-E-B’s support of our community never falters. And this year they faced a huge obstacle—Hurricane Harvey.
When Hurricane Harvey made landfall in August, H-E-B suspended their United Way campaign to focus attention on providing critical disaster relief. United Way services often benefit families in communities that are disproportionately affected by natural disasters like Harvey. Founded with a focus on taking care of people, H-E-B recognizes the need for resources not only in time of disaster, but also day in and day out. Following their disaster response, H-E-B resumed their campaign with amazing energy. They even agreed to extend their campaign to make up for the lost time due to Harvey response.
We are so grateful for their invaluable support.
After their record-breaking 2017 campaign wrapped up, we spoke with Employee Campaign Leaders at several top performing H-E-B stores to see what they believe enabled their overall success. Through a combination of educating their partners on our mission as well as individual partner’s personal experiences with receiving United Way assistance, each store had their own story of what motivated a successful campaign.
Yami Herrera, Drug Director, Bastrop H-E-B Plus
“We worked on connecting with each partner individually. By using examples of local disasters, like the Bastrop wildfires, as well as highlighting organizations that make an impact in our community, we underlined the importance of supporting our neighbors. A donation to the United Way will make a difference in children’s life and that resonated with our partners. We are Bastrop Strong and we are united to make a difference!”
Madison Burgert, H-E-B School of Retail Leadership
“I would say that the United Way campaign at Austin 3 was strong because many of our partners have used United Way as a resource. We had many partners approach us wanting to share their stories of when United Way helped their family get through a tough time, so they could continue to pay if forward for other families in need.”
Mark Huff, Loss Prevention Manager, Riverside H-E-B Plus
“Austin 12 H-E-B succeeded during our 2017 United Way campaign by raising awareness to our partners about how United Way benefits its community from the donations received. We expanded on specific United Way focus areas and were able to tell personal stories of real situations to our partners.”
H-E-B lives by the motto, each and every person counts; and they show it by how well they treat their customers, communities and employees. Thank you H-E-B for taking care of Texans during Hurricane Harvey and for your overall excellence in corporate philanthropy year round.