January 20, 2010

Valero Port Arthur Refinery employees, along with the company’s match, added almost a half million dollars to the United Way of Mid- and South Jefferson County’s fund drive Tuesday, accounting for almost half of United Way’s 2010 goal.

 
The Valero campaign resulted in the largest single donation to the local United Way — a contribution of $496,310.

“We have been working on the campaign since early fall. It is a labor of love. I truly believe in the United Way and the manner in which it helps people and I truly believe in our United Way of Mid- and South Jefferson County and the way it is managed,” Morris Carter, United Way Chairman for Valero, said Tuesday at a ceremony to present the donation to the United Way.

“We set the goal a little higher than last year’s and we achieved that goal. The main reason for our success is our employees. It is good to see our union leaders here today because 80 percent of our employees are union represented,” Carter said.

“The generosity of Valero employees is immeasurable and deeply appreciated,” Carol Hebert, Executive Director of the United Way of Mid and South Jefferson County, said. “Without the strong support of Valero employees and the Valero Corporate match, our community would lose valuable programs and needed resources that impact the lives of children, adults, families, seniors and the disabled. Thank you for helping United Way improve the lives of many,” Hebert said.

“It has been my honor to serve as the Valero Port Arthur Refinery Campaign Chairman for 2010, and the experience has been very gratifying,” said Morris Carter, United Way Chairman for the Valero Port Arthur Refinery 2010 campaign. “It makes me so proud to work with people that continue to show this level of generosity year after year. In challenging economic times, support like this means vital programs can continue to operate and serve our neighbors in the community.”

Although a difficult year for many people in our communities – and equally challenging for companies to meet all of the need encountered in 2009, Valero Energy Corporation continued its strong support of the United Way. Valero’s United Way national pledge for 2010 is $11.4 million including $7.8 million in employee pledges, plus a company match.

The Port Arthur News