Happenings

2008 Campaign Video Debuts on Comcast “On Demand”

The Schuylkill United Way and Comcast Cable want you to be as demanding as possible. That’s because throughout the Schuylkill United Way campaign, Comcast will be offering the organization’s video, “We are…Community Strong” free to local cable subscribers as part of their ON DEMAND service.

By providing ON DEMAND access to the United Way video, Schuylkill County viewers will be able to watch at any time and as often as they want at no additional cost, throughout the entirety of the campaign.

The video began running ON DEMAND in late September to correspond with the United Way’s annual campaign. It is written and produced locally by R&D Communications and Video Works Production Company featuring the programs and services provided by the 16 agencies supported by the United Way.

While generic United Way videos are available, highlighting the local agencies in our own video enables us to address exactly which agencies are here in our backyard and what services and programs they each provide.

Accessing the channel is relatively easy. For those with Comcast Cable, simply go to the ON DEMAND menu, select “Get Local,” and then “Specials.” The video is entitled “Community Strong.”

You can check out all upcoming Schuylkill United Way events, as well as other community activities, on the Pottsville Republican’s Community Calendar at www.republicanherald.com.

Schuylkill United Way Campaign Kick-Off

“Let’s get on with it!”

That was the command issued by Penn State Chancellor R. Keith Hillkirk as he officially kicked off the 2008 Schuylkill United Way campaign heading toward a goal of $1 million.

Volunteers, board members, agencies and company employees were the special guests at the organization’s kick-off breakfast held Friday morning at 8 a.m. at Penn State Schuylkill.

As Penn State cheerleaders cheered and the Nittany Lion roared, Dr. Hillkirk encouraged everyone in attendance to bring this year’s theme, We are…Community Strong, to life.

“When I first heard this year’s theme I thought ‘Wow, it really evokes the essence of what the Schuylkill United Way and the university that I love stand for,’” Dr. Hillkirk said. “There are shared values and shared beliefs that come together in common unity that make us strong.”

Dr. Hillkirk announced that $228,652, or 23 percent of the goal, has already been raised towards the 2008 campaign. Tamaqua has raised 12 percent, or $16,460, of their $135,000 goal.

Atty. Jay Jones, co-chairman of the organization’s Pacesetters Club, announced that the club is already ahead of last year’s total by $16,000, with 159 members responding so far for a total of $152,114. The Pacesetters members are individuals who contribute $500 or more starting in June, thereby setting the pace for the entire campaign.

The current division chairmen were also recognized, and the 2008 annual video was introduced to the crowd. The video is produced locally each year by R&D Communications and VideoWorks Productions.

Schuylkill United Way Board President Henry Nyce said that while the goal of $1 million might seem daunting to some people, he is confident in the people of this county.

“There is a lot of need in Schuylkill County, and it always exceeds the year before,” Nyce said. “But one thing to remember is that one out of every two people in this county has been touched in one way or another by a United Way agency, so we are there meeting those needs every day.”

As the only officially recognized charity of Penn State University, the United Way is a commitment that Dr. Hillkirk makes both personally and professionally. But he said the experiences he’s shared with the 16 agencies supported by the Schuylkill United Way over the last two years have given him a whole new perspective on compassion.

“When I first agreed to be the campaign chairman, someone told me that I was going to be amazed by the capacity of the people in Schuylkill County to come together,” Dr. Hillkirk said. “But what I’ve seen and witnessed through my visits to the agencies has shown me first-hand the intensity and compassion shown here every day.”

Dr. Hillkirk said it’s that intensity that has given him the confidence to raise $1 million for the first time.

“It’s the people here in this room that together define what we mean when we say ‘community strong,’” Dr. Hillkirk said. “It’s the commitment we share to family, to neighbors, to each of the people served by an agency. That’s a powerful definition of a strong community, and it’s what will empower you and me to raise $1 million.”

	Eight members of the Tray family of Pottsville received backpacks filled with school supplies from the Schuylkill United Way Stuff the Bus program. The Trays are clients of the Pottsville Salvation Army, a Schuylkill United Way agency.

How many ways can you say thank you? How about 650?

That's how many backpacks the Schuylkill United Way stuffed last year during their Stuff the Bus program.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to donate an extra item or two to one of our buses or containers. For seven years now, you've made this program possible and helped it to become one of our most successful. While we are not surprised that the people in this area are so kind, we are truly inspired by it.

Thank you to the Newhurst Bus Co. Inc., of Pine Grove, who each year gives up three mini buses to serve as our drop off points in each mall for the entire four week period.

Thank you to all locations that offered a spot for our collection points, whether it's a school bus parked in one of our three local malls or a shopping basket at each entrance to the Wal-Mart store in St. Clair. Each one of you gave us a spot in your location for our supplies and earned a spot in our hearts. Schuylkill Mall, Fairlane Village Mall and Cressona Mall have been there with us each year and last year they were joined by the Penn State Bookstore and the Wal-Mart stores in Hometown and St. Clair.

Thank you to all companies who eagerly placed containers within their facilities to run a promotion of their own. Starting with Alcoa, now SAPA, who has been a part of Stuff the Bus since the first year seven years ago, so many companies have become partners with us and the list keeps increasing each year. Our current list included Evans Delivery, KNBT, Wal-Mart Regional Distribution Center, York Terrace, and Extol.

Thank you to the companies and individuals who donated time or materials to Stuff the Bus. Each contribution went so far to making our program a success and we are so very grateful. Big Lots Inc., Tremont, donates a tremendous quantity of materials each year and helps our program get started in the right direction from the very start. Reidler Decal, WPPA/T-102, Shooting Stars Preschool, Pioneer Telephone, PPL and Louise Huegel from SKIP all offered their time and/or talent to making sure every child has an equal chance at success. A special thank you is extended to the young people of the J.U.N.E. program from New Jersey who took two days to make sure every backpack was stuffed and every item distributed. We couldn't have done it without them and we look forward to working with them again next year.

Finally, a huge thank you is extended to all our agencies who graciously took the time to help us stuff all 650 backpacks. Their strength and dedication are evident in everything they do and it's the reason why we are so proud to offer them our support. The Pottsville Salvation Army not only donates backpacks every year, but they also offer their gymnasium and staff to help us achieve our goal. Stacy Knehr Kutz from the Schuylkill YMCA contributed artwork for our banners which we used in four different locations.

As we all know, together, We Are - Community Strong!
Thanks to all of you, 650 times over!

Member agencies of the Schuylkill United Way gather around some school supplies that were donated to the annual Stuff the Bus promotion that starts on July 9 at participating locations throughout the county. Backpacks will be stuffed and distributed to families involved with any of the 16 United Way agencies. Examining supplies are, from left, Jen Ristila, Big Brothers Big Sisters; Capt. Adam Hench, Pottsville Salvation Army; Rosemarie Seamon, Schuylkill United Way; Rae Thompson, Pottsville YWCA; Wayne Stump, Schuylkill YMCA; and Mary Ann Devlin, Child Development Inc.

2008 Stuff The Bus is underway!!

Plans for the seventh annual Stuff the Bus promotion are locked and loaded.

Because the back-to-school season could be stressful to both students and parents, the Schuylkill United Way each year collects school supplies in buses located in the three area malls. Starting July 7 and continuing through July 31, the annual Stuff the Bus promotion gives families just enough time to start preparing for the first day of class.

Schuylkill United Way Executive Director, Kelly Malone said donations have steadily increased and we collected even more supplies than expected. She is hoping this year will top all of them. 

“Last year we were so excited to help over 650 kids get a jump on school,” Malone said. “We have a great community in Schuylkill County and we’re counting on them to help us again this year.”

School contributions come from a wide variety of sources, including individuals and companies. Some of the businesses that are pivotal to the promotion every year include the Pottsville Salvation Army, which donates backpacks and Big Lots Regional Distribution Center in Tremont which has contributed a large number of supplies every year.

Jim Davis, director of distribution operations at Big Lots said he is proud to support Stuff the Bus because of all the students that are helped by the event.

“We are happy to have the chance to be involved with this event every year because we know there are so many families in our community that need help,” Davis said.

Every year new companies join the Stuff the Bus event by running in-house promotions. Last year, the Wal-Mart Distribution Center and Evans Delivery contributed supplies, and this year Penn State Schuylkill and the new Wal-Mart store in Hometown are both taking part in the promotion by providing collection bins at their locations. Companies that have participated over the last several years include Alcoa, Extol Inc. and PPL.

Once supplies are collected from the malls and participating businesses, staff from the United Way will separate them into individual backpacks to be distributed to children enrolled in programs with the 16 member agencies of the Schuylkill United Way.

Making a positive difference in the lives of our neighbors is a way of life in Schuylkill County.

That's why the annual Make A Difference Day event has been so successful throughout our communities. Friends who support their communities make us proud to live and work in Schuylkill County.

Make A Difference Day is a national day of volunteering dedicated to that community spirit. The annual event is promoted locally by Community Volunteers in Action, the Schuylkill United Way, and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and nationally by USA WEEKEND Magazine and the Points of Light Foundation.

For the last nine years, we have been overwhelmed by the willingness of people from all walks of life who help make a positive difference in their communities. People who give their time or resources to making their environment a better place to live and work.

The list of projects from local organizations is growing so the need for volunteers is growing as well. Whether you are from a company that is willing to donate its employees for the day, or an individual who just wants to make a difference, one telephone call is all it takes to lend a hand. Projects could be anything from painting a fence at a local playground to delivering meals to shut-ins. Any service project could be incorporated into Make A Difference Day.

If you would like to volunteer for a project, or would like more information about Make A Difference Day, please call Janice Johnston at Community Volunteers in Action at 628-1426 or the Schuylkill United Way office at 622-6421.

Did You Know...?

...the Schuylkill United Way put $20 million back into the community in the last 30 years?

...the Schuylkill United Way reached half of all county residents last year?

...ninety-nine percent of all money raised in Schuylkill County stays in the county?

...one in two people receive the benefit of your United Way gift?

...the Schuylkill YMCA has the largest day camp program in the county?

...fifty-four percent of parents involved in Girl Scouts in the county improved their relationship with their daughters?

...for every dollar invested in a Head Start child at Child Development Inc., society gets back a return of more than $8?

...fifty-four percent of matched "littles" at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Schuylkill County improved their grades substantially?

...Rape & Victim Assistance Center of Schuylkill County was one of the first in the state to start a bullying program?

...the summer lunch program at the Tamaqua Salvation Army serves 225 lunches every day to needy children?

TAMAQUA FUN FACTS

• Agencies from the Schuylkill United Way served 16,135 people last year in the Tamaqua area.
  
• The Tamaqua area raised $96,000 in donations for the 2004 campaign
  
• Approximately $88,000 was returned to the Tamaqua area last year. That represents about 91%.

Did you know…?

• The Tamaqua Salvation Army takes care of firefighters fighting a fire along with the victims themselves.
  
• Community services provided by the Salvation Army in Tamaqua tripled in the last few years.
  
• The Salvation Army’s summer lunch program serves 225 lunches to kids every day. Tamaqua Area Meals on
• Wheels served 26,000 meals to residents of Tamaqua last year.
  
• The Tamaqua YMCA served over 10,000 residents last year.