By TAMMARRAH MILES/Era Reporter

The United Way of the Bradford Area marked its 80th birthday
with a Hawaiian luau-style pig roast/clam bake kick-off dinner
Thursday night at the Bradford Township Lions Club.

The colored streamers, Polynesian gods and leis were the idea of
Bradford woman Donna Tate and her friend, who is an interior
decorator, according to local United Way Executive Director Kristen
Tate Luther -ðwho also happens to be Tate’s daughter.

Before the actual dinner, which was served at 6 p.m., attendees
were welcomed to the cash bar, clams (raw, steamed and casino) and
corn roast, which is new to the event this year.

Lisa Boser, who was coordinating the corn roast, said the
kick-off was going great, that they had set up the area for the
corn roast Wednesday night and started the fire that afternoon.

“Everyone seems to be enjoying it,” Boser said between handing
out the freshly-roasted ears of corn to attendees.

Chairmen Bob and Julie Marasco were also on hand, welcoming
attendees as they bought their tickets and wandered into the yard
at the club.

“The rain has cleared and we’re expecting a great turn-out,”
Julie Marasco said. “We’re very enthusiastic about the campaign.
We’ve had record-numbers of reservations, as well as people coming
out to help.”

“This is really a lot of fun,” Bob Marasco said. “It’s a great
party!”

Both agreed the generosity of the people of the Bradford area
made them confident they would at least make their $375,000
goal.

Doug and Ronda Lasseter of Bradford, both long-time employees of
American Refining Group, said they attend the event -ðwhich is in
its seventh year -ðevery year.

Both said they enjoyed the new, festive Hawaiian theme, as well
as the fact the corn roast and clam bake got started a little
earlier this year.

“They’ve really done very well this year,” Ronda Lasseter said.
“They learn from the last year, and it gets better and better.”

“The volunteers do a great job,” Doug Lasseter added. “This
wouldn’t happen if it wasn’t for the volunteers.”

Dawn Kozminski, also an employee at ARG, said she thought the
turn-out was great, the food was excellent, and that it was all for
a good cause.

“I like the corn,” her 10-year-old daughter, Karli, added
through a butter-soaked smile.

Kelly Case, president of the board at the local United Way, said
the event went exceptionally well.

“We’ve had a lot of new people,” Case said, speaking of both
attendees and volunteers for setting up. “I just can’t say ‘thank
you’ enough.” She added the board was very optimistic the community
will respond to the needs of the United Way as it has done in past
years.

Paul Rogerson, youth program director at the Bradford Family
YMCA, said he thought the luau theme was a nice change this year.
The one thing he noted that didn’t change was the incredible
turn-out.

“There were a lot of people here last year and there’s a lot of
people here again this year,” Rogerson said. He added the United
Way sponsors many good causes, like the YMCA.

United Way Executive Assistant Mandi Wilton said Thursday
night’s event was “unbelievable.” At a rough estimate, Wilton said
it seemed they would have nearly double their normal turn-out of
about 200 people.

“We tried some new methods of advertising,” Wilton said, “but
really word of mouth has brought in so many people.” Wilton said
those who come every year bring a few friends and the new faces
really add up.

Wilton mentioned Gus Crissman coordinated the pig roast again
this year, as he does every year, and did a great job. She said
they actually ordered more sausages and clams this year, and was
thankful they decided to do so, as the food was nearly gone by that
point.

She mentioned the phenomenal help from volunteers, both
Wednesday night and all day Thursday, and said a huge “thanks and
kudos” should go out to the United Way board of directors. Wilton
said it takes months to pull off such a successful event.

“We have a board meeting in two weeks, when we will start making
plans for next year,” Wilton said, adding the clean-up and
tear-down that will take place today is always fun for the
organizers, who reminisce about the highlights of the night before
and start “spit-balling” for next year.

Luther summed up her thoughts on the event in a word. “Wow,” she
said. “What else can I say?”

“The atmosphere, the celebration, the enjoyment … I couldn’t
have predicted or begged for a better event,” Luther said, adding
they had 200 confirmed reservations, and were unsure how many
people had already walked in or would still show up that night.
Compared to the number of meals they served last year, she said,
which was less than 200, Luther was astounded by the turn-out.

Luther explained her mother wanted to add a special flare for
the United Way’s 80th birthday, hence the Hawaiian luau theme. She
said she especially liked the Tiki torches, which would come in
handy later in the night when the attendees were welcome to stay
for a bon fire.

“It’s sort of like they’re lighting the way to an excellent
campaign this year,” Luther said with a smile.