What United Way means to me: It's a good idea. The principle of a single organization receiving contributions, and then using professional budgeting techniques and sound business practices to allocate that money to so many essential organizations seems to be the best opportunity not only for the United Way to get the best bang out of each buck, but the best way to maximize the effect of each volunteer hour.

Name: Debbie Spittler
Hometown: Tremont
Occupation: Site Administrative Assistant - Tredegar Film Products
Years involved with United Way: 22 years

How did you get involved?: I was asked to help with an employee campaign.

How do you help?: For the past 13 years I have chaired the employee campaign at Tredegar.  Also, I have previously served on the Schuylkill United Way Board of Directors. 

What United Way means to me: People coming together to help others within our local communities. It may be financial donations or by giving of their time. These are just some of the ways that we can give of ourselves to assist the 16 agencies supported by the Schuylkill United Way so that they may continue to help others in our communities.

Name: Wayne G. Holben
Hometown: Kempton, PA
Occupation: Director of Public Relations, Mrs. T's Pierogies
Years involved with United Way: 9 years with the Schuylkill United Way and another 10 through programs with the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

How did you get involved?: The emplyee campaign for our associates at Mrs. T's Pierogies.

How do you help?: Set goals, create and run incentive programs for associates to get involved through donations.

What United Way means to me: You can't beat the return on community investment. By that I mean your dollars stay here in Schuylkill County funding 16 different agencies, assisting local residents in need and building a better community to live in.

Name: Bill Paul
Hometown: Morea, Mahanoy City, PA
Occupation: Vice President and Relationship Office Manager, retired,
Keystone Financial (now M&T)
Years involved with United Way: 25 years

How did you get involved?: Asked to help with the Mahanoy City division of the campaign

How do you help?: Currently serving as chairman of the Mahanoy City division; prior Board of Directors member.

What United Way means to me: It gives me great satisfaction to know that the funds raised by the Schuylkill United Way go to the 16 agencies which support the needs of all Schuylkill County residents.

Name: M. Michael Peckman
Hometown: Pottsville
Occupation: Director, Marketing/Public Relations - The Pottsville Hospital and Warne Clinic
Years involved with United Way: 20 years

How did you get involved?: The employee campaign for our associates at The Pottsville Hospital and Warne Clinic.

How do you help?: Assist with the hospital's United Way efforts through communications and information sharing.

What United Way means to me: I have been very fortunate to see, first hand, the excellent work done by the member agencies and the positive impact they have upon our community. If not for the efforts of the Schuylkill United Way, many of these organizations would have difficulty existing. That would therefore deprive our residents of much needed services.

Name: Michelle I. Fix
Hometown: Auburn
Occupation: Administrative Assistant for Shalmet Corporation
Years involved with United Way: 9 years

How did you get involved?: I've always supported the United Way and consider myself fortunate that neither I nor anyone in my family have needed the services provided by the United Way. One of my first responsibilities when hired by Shalmet was to coordinate the company campaign. It is with great pride that I continue to be involved with this important organization.

How do you help?: Coordinate employee meetings and presentation material, collect donations and try to raise the awareness of the benefits achieved from the contributions given to the United Way campaign.

What United Way means to me: "Neighbor Helping Neighbor." The United Way is a vital part of the community. Not only are the 16 different agencies called upon during times of disaster but every day throughout the year.

Name: Curtis J. Bailey
Hometown: West Penn Township
Occupation: Semi-retired Builder
Years involved with United Way: 15 years

How did you get involved?: Personal invitation by former Executive Director, Mr. Clare Houser

How do you help?: Work with Tamaqua Area Group to raise funding.

What United Way means to me: I feel privileged being associated with the dedicated volunteers who work diligently to raise funding for The United Way to support various local charitable agencies. Many of these agencies do not have the expertise, nor the volunteers to raise needed funds on their own and would fold without the support of The United Way.

Name: Mary Meredith
Hometown: Tamaqua
Occupation: Administrative Assistant – Sovereign Bank
Years involved with United Way: 20 years

How did you get involved?: As a high school student I was involved in collecting door to door in my neighborhood for local drive chairperson. I started donating through the employee campaign when I began working for the bank.

How do you help?: I organize the employee campaign at Sovereign bank, I help with the business calls in the Tamaqua Area and I’m proud to be a Pacesetter.

What United Way means to me: The agencies the United Way supports provide the basic needs everyone sometime in their life may need. They are all local agencies, made up of dedicated individuals who are able to do so much with often little resource and I know they use the money they receive from United Way to help many, many people in Tamaqua and communities throughout Schuylkill County. I support them financially and with my time because some day I may need to receive help from the agencies United Way supports.

Name: Cathy Guzick
Hometown: Pottsville
Occupation: Customer service representative, M&T Bank, Pottsville
Years involved with United Way: 15 years

How did you get involved?: Personal invitation by former Executive Director Mr. Clare Houser to head the residential division with Laurie Ward.

How do you help?: I've always worked in the residential division, but this year I also became involved with the special gifts division.

What United Way means to me: Being involved with the Schuylkill United Way means so much to me because it directly helps the people in the communities where I work and live, especially people in need. The United Way is special because it helps everybody.

Name: Vanessa M. Mihoda
Hometown: Port Carbon
Occupation: Communications Director, Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce
Years involved with United Way: 12 years

How did you get involved?: I have been a supporter of the Schuylkill United Way for over 12 years. Having a husband with multiple sclerosis has made me very familiar with his needs and the needs of others, as well as the gaps in services. The services and organizations that are supported by the Schuylkill United Way are vital to our community - both in terms of services provided and the improvement of the quality of life of those served.

How do you help?: I provide graphic and technical support, as well as take photos and provide staff support at functions. My door is always open to the Schuylkill United Way staff.

What United Way means to me: Family! The Schuylkill United Way staff and the extended family of their providers take care of those in need - in all stages of life - providing support and services that we sometimes take for granted. Without the Schuylkill United Way, the quality of life of many Schuylkill Countians would be greatly diminished.

Name: Mrs. Martha M. Herron
Hometown: Hazleton
Occupation: Regional Community Relations Director, PPL Corporation
Years involved with United Way: 40 years

How did you get involved?: A member of my family received the services of a United Way. When I was asked by PPL to help with the employee campaign, I immediately said "yes" and to this day continue to work on  PPL's United Way campaign.

How do you help?: Time and money. I have been privileged to help as a PPL solicitor, campaign chair, and volunteer team member. I have also had the opportunity to work as a community volunteer in many roles including that of a loaned executive, allocations panel member, campaign chair and board member. My personal mantra is the belief that you have to be a volunteer and contribute according to your personal situation before you can ask that of others.

What United Way means to me:  It really is people helping people. United Way touches the lives of many, even our friends and family and has the power to change lives and communities.