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Home Contact UsAbout UsAgencies2011 CampaignHappeningsMake a GiftSuccess StoriesFAQs |
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In January of 1936, a small committee met to discuss the possibility of starting an organization to support local charities. Known then as the Community Chest, they did not run an official campaign until years later. (Starting in 1929 and lasting through most of the 1930s, the Great Depression caused a worldwide economic downturn.) Even during uncertain economic conditions, Schuylkill County residence generously gave to their community and the first campaign raised $72,000 to help support numerous local agencies that offered essential programs and services. In the early 1970s, the Community Chest became the now titled Schuylkill United Way and since that time has raised and returned more than $22 million back to the community. Currently, the Schuylkill United Way helps support 15 partner agencies that are located throughout Schuylkill County and solely provide programs and services to county residence at little or no charge. Last year, 75,000 county residence were served by at least one of our partner agencies. That number accounts for over half of the entire population of Schuylkill County. The Schuylkill United Way is independently run by a volunteer 31-member Board of Directors drawn directly from the community. Board members and officers are comprised of businessmen and women who live and work in Schuylkill County and the immediate surrounding area. This diversity allows the Schuylkill United Way to always be in touch with the needs of our community. Members of the board, the committee, and volunteers are focused on meeting the needs by supporting and providing programs and services to members of our community who need help the most - whether it's emergency shelter, health care, family counseling, youth programming, drug prevention, or disaster relief.
The Schuylkill United Way is always looking for caring, dedicated people to help our community throughout the year. While we may not always have a direct need for volunteers, we can most often refer you to many other partners throughout the county who specialize in various different human service fields. Volunteer opportunities vary and there are numerous different opportunities that become available throughout the year. The experience of knowing you are filling a need in the life of another promises to be truly rewarding. Below: Tarah Dove, Director of Community Relations of the Schuylkill United Way volunteers by reading to a classroom of young children at the Duncott Center, Child Development, Inc.
"We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future." ~Franklin Delano Roosevelt For additional information, please contact us to find out how you can help.
Name: Atty. Harry Crosswell How do you help?: Division chairman for the Deer Lake Area, which I do with the help of my secretary, Jean Harman. 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 Schuylkill 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 How did you get involved?: I was asked to help run an employee campaign at Tredegar. 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 15 agencies supported by the Schuylkill United Way so that they may continue to help others in our communities.
Name: Wayne Holben How did you get involved?: The employee 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 15 different agencies, assisting local residents in need and building a better community to live in.
Name: Bill Paul How did you get involved?: I was 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 15 agencies which support the needs of all Schuylkill County residents.
Name: Mike Peckman How did you get involved?: I was asked to help with the employee campaign for our associates at Schuylkill Health System. How do you help?: Assist with the hospital's Schuylkill 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 Fix How did you get involved?: I've always supported the Schuylkill United Way and consider myself fortunate that neither I nor anyone in my family have needed the services provided by the Schuylkill United Way member agencies. 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 Schuylkill United Way campaign. What United Way means to me: "Neighbor Helping Neighbor." The Schuylkill United Way is a vital part of the community. Not only are the 15 different agencies called upon during times of disaster but every day throughout the year.
Name: Curtis Bailey How did you get involved?: Personal invitation by former Executive Director, Mr. Clare Houser How do you help?: Work with Tamaqua area 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 Schuylkill 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 Schuylkill United Way.
Name: Mary Meredith 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 am proud to be a Pacesetter. What United Way means to me: The agencies that the Schuylkill 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 the Schuylkill 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 that the Schuylkill United Way supports.
Name: Cathy Guzick How did you get involved?: Personal invitation by former Executive Director, Mr. Clare Houser to head the residential division along 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 Mihoda How did you get involved?: I have been a supporter of the Schuylkill United Way for over 12 years. Having had a husband with multiple sclerosis, it made me very familiar with his needs and the needs of others, as well as the gaps in services. The organizations that offer programs and services that are supported by the Schuylkill United Way are vital to our community 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: Martha Herron 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 as the power to change lives and communities. |
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