2009 Campaign

The Schuylkill United Way is coming on strong this year.  Our campaign is “Giving Makes You Feel So Good !”

The goal for the campaign is $1,050,000.

Campaign Dates:

County Kick-Off Breakfast

Friday, September 5, 2008 at 8:00 AM

Penn State Schuylkill Campus

County Appreciation Breakfast
Friday, November 14, 2008 at 8:00 AM
Penn State Schuylkill Campus

Tamaqua Kick-Off Breakfast

Monday, September 8, 2008 at 8:00 AM

Tamaqua Middle School

Tamaqua Appreciation Breakfast
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 8:00 AM
Tamaqua Middle School

2009 Pacesetters Reception

Date and Time TBD

Reading Anthracite Building

Letter from the Chairman

The theme of the 2009 Schuylkill United Way Campaign, Giving Makes You Feel So Good , captures the essence of the individuals, family and communities of Schuylkill County: Strong people who know adversity and who possess the courage and will to overcome it. Over the past two years, I have had the privilege to visit and come to know each of the 16 member agencies that are supported by the Schuylkill United Way. Each of these agencies and the professionals and volunteers who lead them, lives and breathes community strength day in and day out.

Several of the agencies' missions focus on children. These include Big Brothers Big Sisters, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Child Development Inc, and the Schuylkill County Society for Crippled Children. While their focus is on children, the support that is provided is comprehensive and includes parents and other family members, medical and counseling professionals, along with the dedicated leaders who serve each agency.

Other Schuylkill United Way agencies focus on disaster response, as well as a holistic approach to family wellness that includes parenting skills, emotional, psychological and spiritual support, in addition to the physical needs of individuals coping with extreme stress. These agencies include the Schuylkill Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army Corps of both Pottsville and Tamaqua, Schuylkill YMCA, Tamaqua YMCA and the YWCA of Pottsville.

Individuals and families in crisis, as well as adults in need of day-to-day assistance, are served by Avenues, Tamaqua Meals on Wheels, the Rape and Victim Crisis Center, Schuylkill Women in Crisis and Schuylkill Wellness Services. Altogether, during any given year, nearly half of the people of Schuylkill County are directly served by at least one Schuylkill United Way agency. Indeed, the strength and compassion of Schuylkill Countians are reflected and shared through each of the 16 agencies.

Every dollar raised for the Schuylkill United Way stays here. For more than seven decades, the citizens of Schuylkill County have contributed nearly $20 million dollars to assist neighbors in need. This year's campaign goal of $1.05 million builds upon this rich tradition of caring and hope. Please keep the tradition alive and give generously to the 2009 Schuylkill United Way Giving Makes You Feel So Good campaign.

UNITED WAY COMING ON STRONG

The Schuylkill United Way is coming on strong with its 2008 campaign by declaring “We Are…Community Strong!”

Organizers are depending on the strength of Schuylkill County communities to help reach an ambitious goal of $1 million.

With a lion’s roar, the 2008 chairmen are eager to get things started. General Campaign Chairman Dr. R. Keith Hillkirk, chancellor of Penn State Schuylkill, and Tamaqua Area Chairman Todd Miller, owner of M&S True Value Hardware, Tamaqua, are both confident that reaching the daunting goal is feasible based on the organization’s history of success.

“I’m very excited about our goal this year because what I’ve learned over the last two years working with the Schuylkill United Way is how community strong we really are here,” Hillkirk said. “There’s a rich history of community engagement and support that the communities of Schuylkill County have historically provided to the United Way.”

This year marks the first time that the organization has taken on such a large goal, but board president Henry Nyce said it’s necessary to ensure that the 16 human service agencies that receive United Way support can continue the programs and services currently being provided.

“We’ve had some very successful campaigns over the last 30 years, but that million dollar mark is a big milestone. So we’re feeling very positive that this is the time to reach for that goal,” Nyce said. “Our agencies told us last year that they’ve been struggling to overcome government cutbacks and disaster relief programs that strained their budgets, so we want to help them overcome these obstacles.”

While the Schuylkill United Way has attained its goal every year except one over the last three decades, it has never been able to meet every allocation request from its agencies. Hillkirk said they’re hoping to change that with a successful campaign this year.

“I’ve been visiting each of our agencies over the last year, and what I’ve learned there has reinforced the major difference that the Schuylkill United Way is making for all ages across the county,” Hillkirk said.

“So it will be an honor to be a part of helping the Schuylkill United Way raise its first million dollars.”

Hillkirk is a native of Meadville, PA, and has lived in Schuylkill County for the last two years. An opportunity to serve the county brought him to his job as chancellor for Penn State Schuylkill as well as serving on the board of the United Way. He is a member of the Pottsville Rotary Club, and lives in Orwigsburg with his wife, Suzanne. They have two children, Scott and Kiersten.

Todd Miller is a Lehighton native who has been a part of M&S True Value Hardware in Tamaqua for the last few decades. His family has owned the hardware store since 1964. He said a strong work ethic and family values brought his family to Schuylkill County, and has kept them here ever since.

“I’ve seen the dedication and strong sense of ethics that the people of Tamaqua share with the rest of Schuylkill County,” Miller said. “Just the success that past United Way campaigns have had in the Tamaqua area proves that we are a great bunch of people here who will go all out to help their neighbors in need.”

Jeanne B. Porter of Boyer’s Food Markets is the assistant chairperson for the general campaign, and Charles Dodson of Air Products & Chemicals Inc. is the assistant for Tamaqua.

The Schuylkill United Way will kick off the 2008 campaign on Sept. 7 in Pottsville and Sept. 10 in Tamaqua, while the organization’s Pacesetters Club will “set the pace” starting in June. Because the Schuylkill United Way is independent of all other agencies throughout the county, every penny raised in Schuylkill County stays in Schuylkill County.

The annual campaign will run for three months, ending in November with what Dr. Hillkirk calls an optimistic finish.
“Is it a challenge to go for $1 million? Yes. Is it a slam-dunk? No. But I’ve seen how committed the people are here,” Hillkirk said. “There’s tremendous community spirit. So when we say ‘We Are…Community Strong!’ we are.”