The United Way of the Bradford Area reached its goal for the
2005 campaign.
“We made goal,” Mandi Wilton, executive assistant, announced
Thursday of the $375,000 achievement.
Wilton, who said the United Way has reached its goal for the
past four years, credits both the community and campaign
chairpeople Bob and Julie Marasco.
“Bob and Julie Marasco did an excellent job as far as marketing
and public relations are concerned,” Wilton said. “Bob and Julie
know a lot of people. That definitely helped us. They were always
offering their support. Offer to help in any way possible.”
Julie Marasco, in turned, praised the community.
“Bob and I never thought we wouldn’t make goal,” she said,
thanking the community for its support and contributions. “This
community’s always been very generous. We are very pleased. The
campaign went very, very well … Bradford’s one of the most generous
communities I’ve seen.”
Wilton said it literally takes thousands of people throughout
the Bradford area to make the campaign as successful as this
one.
“It’s very important that everyone knows that no matter how
little or big their donations, it means so much to this community,”
Wilton said.
Wilton pointed to businesses who had 100 percent participation,
such as Elk Power and Associates, a relatively new business to the
area.
“Those employees donated 100 percent this year,” she said.
“That’s wonderful.”
Wilton said when the campaign started in September, people were
still donating to relief efforts from Hurricanes Katrina and
Rita.
One thing they could emphasize is that money given to the United
Way stays in the local community.
Despite giving on a national level, Bradfordians were also able
to give locally.
“That says so much about this community. They still dug in as
deeply as they could and supported local efforts,” Wilton said.
“The generosity of this community is absolutely outstanding.”
The pay-out from the United Way is divided into three
categories.
The community essentials category supports or funds local
programs or agencies that provide services or aid in crisis
situations such as food, shelter and emergency services.
Those agencies that receive funding under this category are
Catholic Charities, CARE for Children pediatric health services,
The Salvation Army, American Red Cross emergency services, Meals on
Wheels, YWCA Victim Resource Center and housing and employment
services, and Alcohol and Drug Abuse – Bradford outpatient
program.
The community building program responds to the needs in the
community and make a significant impact on the local community.
Agencies getting those funds are Futures Rehabilitation Center
Vocation Services, YWCA mental health program, Greater Bradford
Senior Activity Center, CARE for Children’s Rainbow Corner
Preschool program as well as CARE’s family support program, YMCA
Child Care Center and Youth and Teen Program, Bradford Family
Center and the American Red Cross Community and Education
Program.
The community innovations category funds agencies or programs
separate and independent from United Way Funding. This is given in
quarterly grants up to $1,500.
The recipients change every quarter, Wilton said, adding the
deadline was about a week ago.
While the United Way has reached its goal, it doesn’t mean their
work is done.
After figures are tabulated and calculations made, Wilton said,
“we immediately start for a new campaign. There’s no down time. We
are constantly working on a new campaign.”
Any successful campaign is “not because of us. We have a message
to tell the story. All we do is talk, the rest is out of our
control and completely up to the community.”
For those who still want to donate to the 2005 campaign, there’s
still time.
Donations can be made up until March 31.
