United Way of the Bradford Area campaign chair Theresa Funk has announced that the agency’s annual fundraiser is at 50 percent of its goal.
“My team and I are so grateful for all of the support and generosity of our community members who have contributed to the campaign and also the events we have had this year,” Funk said. “We look forward to finishing off the next few months strong and will be striving to reach the goal.”
United Way’s new executive director, Paige LaBrozzi, said the campaign theme, “Be The Change” could not be more appropriate this year.
“I am so excited to get started and work toward reaching the goal,” LaBrozzi said. “We still have a lot of calls to make, but I am confident we will get there.”
LaBrozzi will officially head up the agency on Monday, excusing interim executive director, Kelly Case. For her part, Case said she is “overjoyed to have Paige begin and have the opportunity to bring the campaign to its goal.
“Paige will bring a second life to the campaign and I welcome the chance to work with her through the conclusion,” Case added.
Members of the United Way’s board of directors said they’re proud of the community’s generosity in giving so far. The board is quick to stress the importance of giving.
United Way officials said this time of year is extremely busy as the campaign continues as board members are in the process of reviewing the Request for Proposals submitted by the local agencies for funding during the next calendar year.
“I can tell you that currently, just in applications submitted from two of our four funding streams, we have requests totaling nearly $400,000,” said Karen Costello-Pecht, board president.
“As you can see, we (the board) are already faced with tough decisions; not reaching our goal this year could be detrimental to some.”
Also happening last week is the annual soup lunch with a record of over 700 soups ordered. Previous years accumulated close to 500 — again a testimony to the generosity and support the community bestows on the United Way,” Labrozzi said. “Coming into this position with such momentum and backing from the community solidifies the confidence I have in the community and reaching our goal.”
The local United Way will continue solicitation efforts through Dec.15, and will then utilize the time until Jan. 5, 2019, to make follow-ups and conclude the campaign.
More information regarding this year’s United Way campaign can be found atwww.uwbanews.org.
