United Way aims to raise $12.2 million for local causes

Tiffany Gibson

Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger speaks at the United Way of Southern Nevada’s campaign kickoff event Thursday at the Rio.

By Tiffany Gibson

Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009 | 6:27 p.m.

United Way Campaign Kickoff

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Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger had words of hope and perseverance for those attending today’s kickoff for United Way of Southern Nevada’s annual fundraising campaign.

Ruettiger took 10 minutes to tell the story of how it took him 27 seconds to sack the quarterback of Georgia Tech and 10 years to convince Hollywood to make a movie about it.

“You can do anything in 10 minutes,” Ruettiger, the real-life inspiration for the movie “Rudy,” said. “When people get inspired they go out and do things to make them who they want to be.

“Don’t be a taker, be a giver, because when you give you get back.”

With Ruettiger as a keynote speaker, the football theme permeated the pep rally-style luncheon event at the Rio.

Silverado High School and UNLV cheerleaders fired up the crowd and the drum corps had people moving in their seats.

Jonathan Halkyard, vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer of Harrah's Entertainment, said football was a perfect campaign theme because it encourages teamwork.

“It’s a difficult economy right now,” Halkyard said. “We’re ambitious and when it’s the hardest, that’s when it’s the most important.”

Dave McCann, of KLAS Channel 8, was the master of ceremonies. He suggested small donations -- even $10, $25 or $50 – would go a long way.

“Fifty dollars would erase hunger of 125 seniors by providing them with 15 pounds of food,” McCann said.

United Way of Southern Nevada chief executive officer and president Dan Goulet said all the money raised by the campaign will go back out into the community. Goutlet said the goal is to raise $12.2 million in this campaign. Several companies have already raised $1.7 million, he said.

“The campaign will end in March,” Goulet said. “The money will be used for families to be able to pay their rents and bus tokens for transportation.”

In addition to helping with basic needs, Goulet said a large portion of the money would go to local schools.

Jennifer Morgan is a supervisor at National Security Technologies, which raised $362,000 for the United Way.

“Our employees are very generous and setting the tone for the community,” Morgan said. “The employees really felt fortunate to have jobs and wanted to give back.”