Innovative, the territory’s provider of landline telephone, cable television and Internet service, gave United Way of St. Croix a check for $10,000 during a short ceremony at their corporate offices near Sunny Isles Shopping Center on Wednesday. 
The donation marked the kick-off of United Way’s 2013 fundraising campaign, and some Innovative employees also signed up for automatic payroll deductions to benefit United Way.
"We are just appreciative of the donation in these hard times," said Averil George, chairwoman of the United Way of St. Croix Board of Governors. "We’re happy the employees and management of Innovative are still trying to make a difference in the community they reside in. It will assist our agency in helping the many needy people in our community in 2013," she said.
Some of the things the money will help pay for include annual medical screenings. According to the charity, during the last five years, many of those screened have been diagnosed with life threatening diseases like prostate cancer, diabetes and sickle cell, and have been able to receive prompt treatment, which saved many lives. This year they are adding breast and cervical cancer screening and flu vaccinations.
It also helps fund United Way’s giving to Boy Scouts of America, Catholic Charities, the Interfaith Coalition, Legal Services, Civil Air Patrol and Bethlehem House homeless and emergency housing, among other worthy causes.
With the closure of the Hovensa refinery and massive layoffs, United Way has been hit hard – losing major contributions from Hovensa and its employees, and seeing other donors hold off due to their own economic concerns, said United Way board member Ana Davila.
"But we will try and keep our doors open – not just us, all the nonprofits. We all need to be innovative in our fundraising now," Davila said.
Innovative also appreciates the partnership with United Way and is proud the company and its employees give generously, said Jennifer Matarangas-King, vice president for public relations for Innovative.
The company itself is giving $10,000, but employees give nearly as much, with little fanfare, by signing up for automatic payroll deductions, she said.
"Many employees have been generous,” she said, adding that between employees and the company, Innovative always came in second in giving, behind Hovensa, on St. Croix, but the company has been first in giving for St. Thomas and St. John.
The company is very happy with its partnership with United Way both because of the clients it serves and because it has been a reliable and responsible financial partner, she said.
"It’s just a joy to work with United Way. They do good work and keep us up to date with what they are doing with the funds, which is perfect for a nonprofit," Matarangas-King said.
