United Way of Greater Milwaukee: Names 2010 Community Campaign co-chairs

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(Milwaukee, Wis., March 29, 2010) – United Way of Greater Milwaukee today announced three co-chairs to lead its 2010 Community Campaign. Richard W. Graber, shareholder, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C.; Lynn Sprangers, consultant, Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club; and Nick W. Turkal, M.D., president and chief executive officer, Aurora Health Care will chair the organization’s annual fundraising campaign.

In 2009, United Way raised $45.5 million to help the growing number of people in Greater Milwaukee utilizing critical health and human service programs. The organization maintained funding in 2009 for more than 160 programs at over 80 agencies at a time of diminishing resources and unprecedented needs. In addition, United Way awarded $225,000 in emergency grants to 11 of its partner agencies to help meet the growing demand for services.

“As we head into our next century of strengthening our community, many people are still struggling and we anticipate another challenging year,” said Mary Lou Young, president & chief executive officer, United Way of Greater Milwaukee. “We are fortunate to have such talented co-chairs leading our campaign to raise the money necessary to support the health and human services infrastructure of our community.”

Richard W. Graber is a strong believer in the Milwaukee community. As a shareholder at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C.; he stresses the importance of giving back. His own volunteer work includes Tocqueville Society co-chair for United Way, Greater Milwaukee Committee member and Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee Board of Trustees. He is also the former U.S. ambassador to the Czech Republic.

“Across the country, many local United Ways are finding it challenging to reach their goals, but Milwaukee is a generous community,” said Graber. “Last year we saw that commitment when so many people stepped up to help those in need. We look forward to continued growth in 2010.”

Sprangers is well-regarded for her commitment to the community including a past stint on the United Way Campaign Cabinet, as well as for her board service to the Milwaukee Urban League, AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Menomonee Valley Partners, Milwaukee Women Inc.  and VISIT Milwaukee.  During her ten years with the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club, she held several executive positions including Vice President of Community Relations, Coordinator of the 2002 MLB All-Star Game, President of Brewers Charities and is now a consultant to the club.

“This is a great opportunity for us to serve our community’s needs,” said Sprangers. “We know that during difficult times, people turn to United Way programs for help. In spite of the challenging economy, we will do everything we can to build on the foundation and success that our predecessors achieved in 2009.”

Dr. Turkal is a proven leader with a passionate commitment to patient-centered health care. He has served on United Way’s board of directors since 2007 and has been an active member of United Way’s campaign cabinet. Aurora Health Care has also been a strong supporter of United Way’s Healthy Girls Initiative, sponsoring the Healthy Girls Challenge Grant.

“United Way of Greater Milwaukee’s Community Campaign impacts our community’s most pressing problems including poverty, a high teen birth rate, significant unemployment and low graduation rates,” said Dr. Turkal. “For the past 13 years the campaign has achieved its goal and we look forward to making that 14 straight years. “

As 2010 campaign co-chairs, Graber, Sprangers and Turkal will recruit and lead a cabinet of more than 80 volunteers including business leaders, elected officials and nonprofit representatives in Metropolitan Milwaukee who join them in rallying the community to support lasting change through United Way. The 2010 Community Campaign goal will be announced at the annual campaign kickoff on September 2.