For the first time ever, two major New Orleans area companies and their employees, Entergy New Orleans and Shell Oil Company, have each raised $1 million dollars for United Way’s Campaign. 

Shell and Entergy ran 2006-2007 campaigns that matched - dollar for dollar - employee pledges.  Most employees pledge through United Way’s payroll deduction option which allows their donation to be taken out of their paycheck throughout the year.

During a joint press conference at the United Way Building on January 5th, Entergy New Orleans CEO Rod West and Shell Vice President of Production for the Americas Frank Glaviano presented their $1 million checks to United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area President Gary Ostroske.

“Entergy has long been a leading advocate of people working together to strengthen a community and lessen the burdens on our less fortunate neighbors.  That’s why we’ve always been a supporter of United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area,” West said.

“Shell and its employees came home to live, work and rebuild,” said Glaviano, “The people of New Orleans have a strong, indomitable spirit. There is still a lot to be done; and we must all contribute. We must support United Way so we can all help those people who could otherwise be forgotten.”

“Through their generosity, United Way is currently funding 107 programs that will positively impact our community through relief, recovery, and rebuilding now and for years to come,” said Ostroske.

With these recent donations, United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area has raised $14 million since the start of the 2006-1007 Campaign in August, closing in on the $20 million goal set by the organization.