United Way Campaign is Oct. 7 - 11

Saint Luke's Health System is dedicated to promoting the strength and vitality of the communities we serve. To accomplish this task, we continually seek opportunities to offer time and resources in ways that will make a difference in the communities where our members live and work. One way we do this is by partnering with the local United Way to improve people's lives.

The United Way aims to improve people's lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community, and we would like to invite you to join SLHS in supporting this great cause. United Way focuses on three main impact areas - education, income, and health.

It all begins with YOU

• Saint Luke's Hospital Goal: 10 percent increase in participation
• Saint Luke's Health System Goal: 10 percent increase in participation

Click here to view this year's campaign video!

Why United Way?

Consider these facts:

• It's local. Unless you choose otherwise, your contribution stays in the community, funding local charities. One out of three families in the Kansas City community receives help from the United Way.
• It's easy. By enrolling in payroll deduction, you only have to set up your donation one time each year.
• It's effective. Through the efforts of United Way and its partner agencies, the value of your contribution is maximized, giving you more for your philanthropic dollar.
• It's accountable. Informed volunteers identify community needs, allocate funds to programs that address those needs, and monitor how effectively your contribution is used to solve local problems.
• It's responsive. New programs like the Kansas City KIDSAFE, Kansas City HEALTHY START, and Learning Works were created in response to concerns of people like you.
• It's your choice. You can designate your gift to Community Care Fund, helping an entire family of charities here in Kansas City, or you can designate your contribution to a charity of your choice. Saint Luke's Health System organizations that receive funding from the United Way include: Crittenton Children's Center, the Midwest Ear Institute, and The Children's SPOT.
• It has rewards. By donating at least $6 a paycheck ($144 or more annually), you become a member of the Caring Club, a program offering discounts at various Kansas City merchants who also sponsor the United Way such as Hereford House, Waldo Pizza, Pierpont's, and the YMCA of Greater Kansas City.

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United Way ROI

In 2013, United Way of Greater Kansas City will invest the following dollars in our community:

• $10.5 million in education-related programs and initiatives including the Success By 6 program that served 9,595 children in 2012
• $7.5 million in income-related programs and initiatives including the United Way Decade of Difference program that has helped nearly 2,600 teens and young adults receive financial education and job training
• $14 million in health-related programs and initiatives including the Citizen Assist Program that has a 97 percent effectiveness rate in connecting callers with the community resources they need

When you make a pledge to the United Way of Greater Kansas City, you can be sure your gift is used efficiently. Forbes magazine ranks United Way as one of its Top Five "All-Star Charities" - one of the most effective and efficient non-profit organizations in the nation. Only 11 cents of every dollar donated to United Way of Greater Kansas City goes to fundraising and administrative costs - less than half the national average.

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Important notice: New payroll deduction rollover policy

This year SLHS is taking part in automatic payroll deduction rollovers. This means that if you currently have a United Way payroll deduction, the dollar value of your deduction will roll over into next year unless you designate changes.

If you currently have a payroll deduction and would like to continue the current deduction:

• You do not have to log on and re-pledge. Your current payroll deduction will continue into next year for the same amount.
• If your current automatic payroll deduction is designated to a specific entity, you will need to log on and re-designate your giving. This includes SLHS entities: Cabot Westside Health & Dental Center, Crittenton Children's Center, Midwest Ear Institute, and The Children's SPOT. If you fail to re-designate your giving, the rollover will take effect, but your funds will no longer be directed toward your agency of choice.

If you currently have a payroll deduction and would like to change your current deduction:

If you would like to increase or decrease the amount of your deduction, you must log on to make those changes.

If you currently have a payroll deduction and would like to stop the deductions:

You must log on to document your decision. Failing to document this decision will result in a continuing payroll deduction.

If you have made a one-time donation in the past:

You will need to log on and pledge again if you wish to make a donation in 2014. One-time gifts do not rollover.

Those impacted by the new policy should receive notice prior to the campaign. If you have questions regarding the rollover policy, please contact Mary Beth Reed at 816-932-8651.

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Easy steps for online pledging

Here are the easy steps for online pledging!

Visit https://donor.united-e-way.org and enter the following login information:

• Campaign Code: stlukes2013
• Username: "A" number
• Password: "A" number plus birth date (MMDDYYYY)
• Select "PLEDGE NOW!"
• Choose your payment type, donation amount, and where you choose to invest your contribution

Once you specify your contribution details, you will see a panel at the bottom of the page that details the three Caring Club criteria. Check marks will appear after you satisfy each of the three criteria.

Invest your contribution

Community Care Fund is the most efficient way to give - one gift benefits the entire community.

• Designate all or part of your gift to a specific agency
• You may choose to designate based on percentage or by dollar amount
• Select "locate an agency" and/or select "write-in agencies"

PLEASE NOTE: Crittenton Children's Center, Midwest Ear Institute, Cabot Westside Health & Dental Center, and The Children's SPOT (no number - search agencies or write-in), are Saint Luke's Health System organizations that benefit from United Way support.

Donor information page: Be sure to enter your home address if you are interested in the Caring Club.

Contribution review page: If you have met the criteria for the Caring Club you will see a panel at the top of the page confirming that you wish to receive a Caring Club Card. Please review your pledge information (if you find a mistake you can go back and alter your pledge BEFORE you submit the gift). Submit your gift.

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SLH United Way activities

All Week - Oct. 7 - 11

• $2 will be donated to United Way for every smoothie purchased in coffee shops
• E-Way pledging tables will be available outside the Café exit from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 7

• Kettle Corn Kick-Off from 3 - 7 p.m. in the Women's Center Courtyard
• Silent Auction outside the Jo 'N Go near the Café from 7 - 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Baskets can also be viewed on ePulse
• Raffle for two parking spaces (April - June 2014). Anyone who has made a pledge is eligible

Tuesday, Oct. 8

• Silent Auction outside the Jo 'N Go near the Café from 7 - 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Baskets can also be viewed on ePulse
• Raffle for two parking spaces (July - September 2014). Anyone who has made a pledge is eligible

Wednesday, Oct. 9

• Silent Auction outside the Jo 'N Go near the Café from 7 - 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Baskets can also be viewed on ePulse
• Raffle for two parking spaces (October - December 2014) and AMC movie vouchers. Anyone who has made a pledge is eligible

Thursday, Oct. 10

• Hot Dog Day for United Way from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in the SLH Courtyard. There will be surprise raffles at the event! Join us for a hot dog, chips, ice cream sandwich, and drink for $5.50. Boca burgers will also be an option
• Last day for the Silent Auction outside the Jo 'N Go near the Café from 7 - 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Baskets can also be viewed on ePulse
• Raffle for two parking spaces (January - March 2014), lunch with the CEO, and lunch with the CNO. Anyone who has made a pledge is eligible

Friday, Oct. 11

• Non-nursing Jeans Day - for $5 you can purchase a sticker from your ambassador or a Café cashier and wear jeans for the day
• Nursing Spirit Day - for $5 you can purchase a sticker from your ambassador or a Café cashier and wear your favorite team jersey or T-shirt
• Candy Gram delivery by your ambassador
• Raffle for a pair of Silver Dollar City tickets and three Center for Health Enhancement packages that come with a free monthly membership, 30-minute massage, and 30-minute personal training session

Friday, Oct. 18

• Systemwide raffle for a pair of Chiefs vs. Chargers tickets for Nov. 24. Anyone who has made a pledge is eligible

Please note: All "Special Event" money will be designated to Saint Luke's Health System agencies.

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