Despite continuing economic woes nationwide, Pima County employees pledged or donated more support to United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona and affiliated charities this year than last through the annual Employees Combined Appeal Program.

Even though the number of Pima County employees has shrunk by more than 200 since last year, their pledges and donations increased to $439,801 in this year’s campaign, from $433,048 last year.

Shelley Rose, a recreation program coordinator at Kino Community Center who chaired the 2011-12 Pima County ECAP Steering Committee, said the committee was concerned that fewer Pima County employees this year would result in a lower pledge and donation total.

“The ECAP Steering Committee and I did not think that we would make the $400,000 mark for the 2011-12 campaign,” Rose said. “However, when I started totaling the ECAP envelopes for all the departments I discovered that the Pima County employees once again displayed their generosity and desire to help our community in Southern Arizona.”

Pima County employs 6,688 people; 1,910 pledged or donated through ECAP.

The Employees Combined Appeal Program provides financial support to more than 270 charities.  Employees support the charities they choose through payroll deduction or a one-time donation.  All of the funds pledged or donated go to the designated charities.

“In order to meet the needs of our community, we as individuals and as a group must recognize the needs of our fellow citizens,” said County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry.  “For the past 24 years ECAP has played a major role in helping this community and I consider ECAP to be one of the most important resources we as Pima County employees have to offer.”

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona raised approximately $8.1 million from the workplace campaign during the year ended June 30, 2011.

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