Shell/Motiva Campaign Exceeds $6.3 Million

Congratulations to Shell Oil Company and Motiva Enterprises LLC for another successful campaign! Shell and Motiva raised more than $6.36 million, including retiree contributions and the company match. Motiva Enterprises LLC president and CEO Bob Pease and other company representatives announced the results at a check presentation held at United Way.

"We are thankful to have Shell and Motiva as our partners in the community," said Anna M. Babin, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Houston. "The generous financial support of Shell and Motiva employees and retirees ensures that United Way is there to develop children and youth to their full potential, strengthen families and neighborhoods, help seniors remain independent in their homes and give people the support they need to rebuild their lives broken by disaster or crisis.”

“Despite the tough economic conditions and significant change initiatives within our organization, we successfully delivered against our campaign goals. I am truly humbled by the generosity of Shell and Motiva employees and retirees and the tireless efforts of our campaign volunteers. This clearly demonstrates the spirit of giving and caring, which is an important part of the Shell and Motiva culture," said Selda Gunsel, vice president, Fuels and B2B Products Technology - Projects & Technology, who chaired the successful campaign effort.

"United Way touches one of every two lives in our community, and it has been personally rewarding for me to work on a project that makes such a profound impact on our society. On behalf of the campaign leadership, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who supports the United Way and makes a difference in many lives." Gunsel is a member of United Way's Women's Initiative.

The company matched employee and retiree contributions dollar-for-dollar. This year's match of $3.15 million represents the largest corporate gift to United Way of Greater Houston.

A steering team comprising individuals from various organizations guided the 2009-10 campaign. Members of the team included Laura Aguilar, TaJuana Antwine, Paul Ayoub, Paul Dorgant, Dick Francis, Tom Kunz, Pam Nelson, John Seo and Brad Sullivan.

Campaign coordinator Terry Garland was joined by team members Eisele Jallorina Alford, Debbie Breazeale, Melanie Kainer, Jani Lopez, Vicky Moreno, Nina Palomo and Pam Rosen in facilitating the overall effort.
 
This year's campaign focused on telling the story of how United Way makes a positive impact on people’s lives. At the start of the campaign, hundreds of Shell and Motiva employees displayed their enthusiasm at the United Way Community Kickoff at Toyota Center. Team captains and campaigners coordinated fun and educational events over the course of the campaign. Highlights included kickoffs at the major locations, a silent auction, cooking competitions, ice cream socials, bake sales and blue jeans days. Company volunteers showed their “can-do” spirit by participating in a variety of Days of Caring projects.

The company's results were announced to campaign team members, company leaders and United Way representatives. Among them were Frazier Wilson, manager, US Social Investment and Shell Foundation, John Kiappas, vice president, Services, Motiva Enterprises LLC, and Anne Neeson, vice president of Donor Relations for United Way of Greater Houston.

We sincerely thank our good friends at Shell and Motiva for helping to shape our community and build a better future for us all. You truly do something about it, the United Way.