Strong support so far for UWBA campaign
Text to donate new this year
United Way of the Bradford Area Executive Director Sarah Lonzi reported this week they have seen strong support so far for the 2023 campaign.
“We are well underway with our ‘Stronger Together, Building a Better Community’ campaign and are loving the high level of support we are seeing this year,” Lonzi said. “Our ‘United We Dine’ event has been a major hit thus far and there are still two more locations, so please be sure to stop by on the designated nights.”
Featured every Wednesday in October and the first Wednesday in November this year, a portion of each partnering restaurant’s sales (or a set rate) will be donated toward the goal. Restaurants still to be featured are Liberty Tavern (Oct. 25) and Tasta Pizza & Taproom (Nov. 1). Businesses that have already taken their turn are Pizza Napoli, The Seneca and Model T Inn.
New for this year’s campaign, donors can text to donate. Contributors can make their annual donation by texting 53-555 using the keyword UWBA2023, with the option of a one-time or recurring gift. Online donations are also accepted.
Next up for the campaign is the popular Annual Soup Lunch scheduled Nov. 17 at First Presbyterian Church. On the menu this year are broccoli cheese, Italian wedding and stuffed pepper.
Soup is available for pickup or delivery from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at $7 for a 12-ounce bowl or $10 for a 16-ounce bowl. Cost includes crackers, utensils and a dessert and all proceeds benefit the Zonta Club-led campaign.
Orders must be placed by Nov. 10 with the UWBA office at (814) 368-6181; sarah.lonzi@uwbanews.org; P.O. Box 504, Bradford, Pa., 16701; or by fax at (814) 368-5300.
Anyone interested in volunteering at the event should contact Lonzi during regular UWBA business hours, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“We hope to hit a historical record of soup sales this year, but we need your help to do so,” Lonzi said, adding businesses could “consider a company lunch on this day with soup delivery or pickup to your workplace.”
Another campaign event still to come is the Business Blitz set the first Friday in November, when UWBA’s Student Ambassadors will canvas Main Street to place collection jars at various locations.
Bradford Water Authority’s 2024 “We Love Marilla” calendars are also still for sale at its office, Chamber of Commerce and United Way for $15 each, and all proceeds go to the campaign.
“As a reminder of our agency mission,” Lonzi said, “we strive to raise funds during our campaign that are then distributed to our community nonprofit programs at the start of 2024.
“The UWBA delivers ‘gap’ funding that many of our local nonprofits would not receive elsewhere through state or government grants to help fill gaps in their budget and allow them to offer services.”
As a result of the 2022 campaign, UWBA helped fund more than 37 programs in Bradford and surrounding communities. A full list is available online.
Lonzi added there’s still time for businesses to schedule a campaign presentation. Contact her at the UWBA office to coordinate a time and date.
The office is also still accepting applications for the fourth quarter of Quarterly Impact funding for 2023. Eligible non-profit agencies may submit a request for as much as $1,500 in Quarterly Impact funds to be released Dec. 1. Apply by Nov. 1.
