Nationwide Insurance is top donor to United Way

Lewis Jones presents a contribution to Karen Borchers, executive Director of the United Way of Cherokee and Clay Counties. The Lewis D. Jones Insurance Agency was the top donor to the local United Way last year in the small business category, and Nationwide Insurance was one of the largest donors to 1,300 United Ways across America.

The Lewis D. Jones Insurance Agency in Murphy was the top donor to the United Way of Cherokee and Clay Counties in 2007, in the small business category, according to Karen Borchers, United Way Executive Director. The agency contributed $2,400.

"Mr. Jones has given generously to the United Way for years, and his monthly contribution is matched by Nationwide." said Borchers. "We truly appreciate his generosity and the impact he has had for many years in enabling us to assure that vital services are provided to the needy and to people in crisis in Cherokee and Clay Counties."

" Saving, rebuilding, and enriching lives in our community is what my agency's participation in United Way is all about," says Lewis Jones. " Partnering with uNited Way allows us to have an impact where we live and work."

In 2007, Nationwide's agents, associates, and retirees pledged more than $8.7 million through Nationwide's United Way campaign. Nationwide agents are part of the reason that more than 1.9 million people around the world are able to access quality health care. 362,000 people are equipped with essential job training, and over two million children have been enriched with high quality child care. Locally, says Borchers. Jones' contribution to the United Way went to help support nonprofit human service agencies such as the Cherokee County Sharing Center, which provided food to 1,587 people in 2007; the Hurlburt-Johnson Friendship House, which provided 4.745 nights of shelter; and REACH, which helped more than 741 victims of domestic assault and answered more than 2,000 crisis calls.

The United Way is a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and people's lives. "Each United Way is independently organized and its mission is carried out by a Board of Directors made up of local volunteers, who know their home communities." explained Borchers. " Contributions to the United Way of Cherokee and Clay County stay in those two counties, and donors can specify in which county they want their contribution to be used to help people."

The Local United Way pays $500 in dues to be part of the United Way of America, and $300 to be part of the United Way of North Carolina, Borchers said. Both organizations have high admission standards for local agencies and, in turn, provide various services to them.

In 2007, the United Way of America awarded Nationwide three Summit Awards for leadership in community involvement. These three awards represent three of four categories that are a part of the United Way of America's Spirit of America Award, which Nationwide won in 2000. Nationwide was the only company to receive three awards in 2007.

Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest diversified insurance and financial service organizations in the world. It ranks #104 on the Fortune 500 list. The company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, annuities, mortgage, mutual funds, pensions, and long term savings plans.

Jones recently was elected to the Board of Directors of the United Way of Cherokee and Clay Counties. " I want to help other businesses and individuals understand the importance of the United Way's work in our community," he says.

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