Since 2013, Phenix Flooring has been proud to partner with United Way of Northwest Georgia. Each year Phenix Flooring educates its employees about services offered by United Way of Northwest Georgia during their employee campaign. Phenix also supports United Way through annual corporate gifts, sponsorship of Make a Difference Day, and participation in the CEO Trike Race and Campaign Kickoff.
Phenix Flooring and United Way make the perfect marriage in supporting the community, and it's apparent in the mission statements. United Way of Northwest Georgia is dedicated to improving lives in our community by inspiring donors and uniting the community through education, basic needs, and health. Phenix's Core Focus is similar and simply states: Empowering passionate individuals to strengthen the community.
The 2020 year has brought with it many hardships. Many of this year’s United Way workplace campaigns have been moved to fully virtual, and it has become increasingly difficult to engage with employees in workplace campaigns. Many company departments are just now coming back into the office on a consistent basis. However, United Way has witnessed so many companies, like Phenix Flooring, stepping up for those in need.
“Any successful campaign starts with an enthusiastic team that is dedicated to making a difference by Building Better Futures in our community. Phenix has many key players who have supported the work of United Way over the years, and this year has been no exception,” said Amanda Burt, United Way President.
Leading the charge for Phenix’s 2020 United Way campaign are Jason Surratt and Andrea Lanier. Jason Surratt - VP of Residential Business, was on the Phenix Flooring Trike Race team at Burr Park during the 2019 CEO Trike Race. While Phenix didn't take the trophy home that year, they kept their spirits high and this year Jason and Andrea graciously accepted the roles of Campaign Chair and Co-Chair for the challenging 2020 season. A few other key players involved in Phenix’s 2020 United Way campaign include Darby Moraitakis, Director of Marketing, (served as the Phenix Flooring Campaign Chair for United Way of Northwest Georgia in 2018), and Phenix's Human Resources Manager, Amy Bradford, who serves on United Way of Northwest Georgia’s Volunteer Center Cabinet.
It goes without saying that 2020 has looked very different for everyone. The campaign team at United Way of Northwest Georgia had to execute a completely virtual CEO Trike Race in place of our in-person celebration at Burr Park. This has never been done before, so it was uncertain if the companies would want to participate.
However, by displaying a keen ability for creativity while in uncharted territory, Phenix’s 2020 team tied for first place by meeting all the guidelines of the virtual trike race. When United Way of Northwest Georgia announced an in-person trike race tiebreaker, Jason Surratt was Phenix’s natural choice for their representation. The race was close, but Phenix ultimately claimed the victory as the winner of the 2020 CEO Trike Race.
"Co-Chairing the United Way Campaign this year was something I was glad to do to help in any way possible to support the organization's funding. The great thing when contributing to the United Way is knowing that your donation is being invested directly into your local community, and this year will certainly be a trying year for many of our friends and neighbors throughout our small towns of Northwest Georgia due to COVID-19. I have been a part of several boards of local community programs and know just how much the funding by United Way helps benefit the long term health of our community- most of these organizations depend on United Way for a healthy share of funding for their outreach," said Jason Surratt. Phenix Flooring and United Way of Northwest Georgia stand behind Jason's parting comment, "Thanks to everyone who plans to contribute no matter the size of the gift- every dollar counts and helps immensely!"
Phenix was also co-sponsor with Brown Industries for Make a Difference Day in October. With the full support of Mark Clayton, President - Phenix Flooring Division at Mannington Mills, the company provided a volunteer group, including Jason and Andrea, to install a Born Learning Trail at the Chatsworth - Murray County Library. The Born Learning Trail consists of activities to promote interactive signs that offer fun, active learning activities for young children and their families.
“The Phenix Make a Difference Day volunteers are excited about the educational value the Born Learning Trail brings to children and their families who frequent the Chatsworth-Murray County Library. This is a very meaningful project for everyone.”
–Amy Bradford, Human Resources- Phenix Flooring
Phenix Flooring is one of many companies within our community that inspire us in how they press on, even in uncertain times, for the good of our community and show us what it means to Live United.
Thank you to Phenix and other companies that have participated in this year’s campaign. We couldn’t do this without you! Our goal of $4.125 million is attainable when we work together.
If you’re interested in having a United Way workplace campaign or giving a corporate gift, please contact Amy Ross at amy.ross@ourunitedway.org or 706-876-2552.