HSD Staff Donates $36,928 to the United Way of Greater St. Louis

For years, the Hazelwood School District (HSD) has participated in the annual fundraising campaign for the United Way of Greater St. Louis. This year, district employees collectively raised $36,928.

Daryl Lester with the United Way of Greater St. Louis said the contributions raised not only helps the St. Louis-community, but the county and all of its surrounding areas.

"The money raised by us stays with us," he said. "We know times are tough and it can be hard."

In 2010, then-superintendent Steve Price established a fundraising incentive called the Pacesetter Award. To earn the award, schools had to have a minimum of 60 percent participation to the campaign from HSD staff.

This school year, three schools earned the third annual Pacesetter Award. They just so happen to all be middle schools with Larimore, Townsend and the Hazelwood Northwest buildings winning.

"It is a tradition for the Hazelwood School District to raise money for the United Way St. Louis," Diana Gulotta, assistant superintendent for communication said

Lester said the United Way couldn't do what it does in the community without its support.

“I just want to say thank you so much to everyone that has made contribution to the United Way of Greater St. Louis," he said. 'I can’t express how thankful my organization is to have such hardworking, caring parents and teachers here in Hazelwood."

Gulotta said the the Charmaine Chapman Society donated $12,300 to the cause; $1,000 for each member. Donald Suggs, publisher of the St. Louis American, founded the leadership society in 1994.