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CASA of McKean County Executive Director Kristen Tim and Board President Bob Esch show that the organization has reached 80 percent of its $150,000 goal so far. The funds have come from private and corporate donations, as well as a grant from the United Way of the Bradford Area. The money will be used for the next three years to operate the program, which provides much-needed stability and support for neglected and abused children in McKean County. To make a tax-deductible contribution to the campaign, contact Tim at 887-4020 or casa@mckeancountypa.org or visit CASA’s website at www.mckeancountypa.org/casa.aspx. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The United Way's campaign goal was $345,000. They raised more than $357,000. That's 104 percent of goal. Campaign co-chairs Jeannine Schoenecker and Lisa Minich say the success of the campaign was due to a combination of longtime donors, some of whom increased their contributions, and people who donated for the first time, as well as dedicated volunteers. Schoenecker, Minich and United Way Executive Director Mandi Wilton Davis made the announcement on today's LiveLine. You can listen to that at WESB.com/listen . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The United Way of the Bradford Area is at 99 percent of its goal. Co-chairs Jeannine Schoenecker and Lisa Minich are confident that the community will come through with the last $5,000 – and more. Both women are hoping to reach the goal by Christmas, saying that would be a great gift for the entire community. For more information you can go to UWBAnews.org. To listen to Schoenecker and Minich on today's LiveLine by going to WESB.com/listen . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

With just less than one month to go in the United Way of the Bradford Area’s 2014 Be a Champion campaign, officials announced the drive has surpassed 95 percent of its $345,000 goal. While the campaign’s home stretch coincides with an already busy holiday season, 2014 co-chairpersons Lisa Minich and Jeannine Schoenecker are confident the Bradford area’s generous residents won’t forget their neighbors in need. Minich said, “The United Way has been connecting community resources with the needs of individuals since 1925. Together we can ensure that the services provided by our member agencies continue to be available for our friends, families and neighbors who need it most.” Executive Director Mandi Wilton Davis explained UWBA has already received applications from three new agencies and requests for increased funding from three existing agencies. “We set an ambitious goal for 2014, but, year over year, appeals always exceed funding,” Wilton Davis stated. “This year requests just t...

United Way of the Bradford Area's Board President, Sam Johnson (right), accepts a $5,000corporate donation from PNC Bank-Bradford's Manager Dan Minich, and staff. The contribution is towards the UWBA's 2014 campaign, which is currently at 70% of the $345,000 fundraising goal. United Way photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Local community members and businesses have shown their support for the Smethport Campaign for United Way, having raised nearly 50% of the $15,000 goal. This is the third year that solicitation efforts have been managed by the United Way of the Bradford Area. “I am pleased with the status of the Smethport campaign to-date,” said Executive Director Mandi Wilton Davis. “We’ve seen a positive response from our existing donors, but we’ve seen a significant increase in new donors, which has contributed greatly to the success so far.” Davis says that although they have raised the fundraising goal for the second year in a row, she anticipates reaching the $15,000 mark. “The residents of Smethport and the surrounding communities have shown how generous they are over the past several years,” said Davis, “and we know they feel very strongly about impacting the lives of their family, friends and neighbors through the agencies funded from our annual appeal.” 12 agencies located in or servin...

Yesterday we told you on the air that the United Way of the Bradford Area was at 53 percent of its campaign goal. Well, that news is outdated already. Bradford Area School District, Zippo Manufacturing Co., American Refining Group Inc. and Northwest Savings Bank have so far been the champions of the United Way of the Bradford Area’s latest campaign. Officials announced Friday that, just more than a month into its 2014 Be a Champion campaign, they have already raised 60 percent of the $345,000 goal. School district staff members increased their contributions by nearly 50 percent, while both Zippo and ARG also recorded significant increases in their employee campaigns. The campaign has been structured differently this year under the leadership of co-chairs Lisa Minich and Jeannine Schoenecker, who have stressed the importance of having plenty of volunteers and making more-personal appeals. “Our goal with this year’s campaign was to re-energize the volunteer base and bring bac...

Northwest Savings Bank recently gave $7,500 to the United Way of the Bradford Area. The donation will be added to the United Way’s funds, which are distributed to local community organizations for the purpose of community building and enhancing the quality of life in the greater Bradford area. Twenty-nine agencies and 51 programs and services receive funding from the organization’s annual appeal, which runs from August 15 through December 15. This year’s goal is to raise $345,000. In presenting the donation, Steve Cottillion, manager of the Bradford West Washington Street Office of Northwest Savings Bank and member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of the Bradford Area, said, “We (Northwest) recognize the importance of supporting the United Way because it helps to build a stronger community. It’s a great way to support our town and give back because everyone in the Bradford area has benefited in some way from United Way funds. We’re honored to be able to support the...

The 2014 United Way campaign begins today, and officials are approaching this appeal aggressively, beginning with a goal of $345,000. “We’ve increased the goal this year to accommodate the increase in requests from the local agencies to meet the needs of our community,” said Executive Director Mandi Wilton Davis. “We are currently funding the highest number of agencies and programs we’ve ever done with 29 and 51, respectively. “We’re very confident that this is an attainable goal – although a lot of effort and commitment will be put into it – and we’re looking forward to celebrating with the community at the end of the year,” said Davis. This year’s promotional theme – “Be A Champion” – is a call to action for donors, but also a fitting tie for the campaign co-chairs, Lisa Minich and Jeannine Schoenecker, who say it (theme) represents their personal passion for giving back to a community they’re proud to call home. “Our hope this year is to not only reach the monetary goal, but to...

The United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. is pleased to announce the hiring of Sonja Bacha as Administrative Assistant. Sonja began her position at the office on Monday. “I am proud to welcome Sonja to our office,” said Executive Director Mandi Wilton Davis. “I know she has a strong passion for our local community, having grown up here and raising her family here, and I feel this is the perfect fit for both sides. “She’s already presented a great deal of knowledge and enthusiasm, and we’re excited to get Campaign 2014 off and running!” In the newly-created position, Bacha will be responsible for helping to maintain the business and financial affairs of the office, as well as preparations for the annual campaign and fundraising efforts. She was previously the Office Manager for SuperUser Technologies in Bradford. Sonja lives in Bradford with her husband, Barry, and children Erika and Andrew. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

4-year old Jimmy Otto shows off the rainbow fish he created Wednesday during the United Way's monthly First Chapter program at the Bradford Area Public Library. 18 kids heard the story "The Rainbow Fish" by Marcus Pfister, and the lesson centered around sharing, friendship and making their own fish. Jimmy is the son of Bill and Kim Otto of Bradford. United Way photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City Parks Director Chip Comilla (center) cuts the ribbon on the Born Learning Trail, installed by volunteers for the United Way of the Bradford Area. The signs along the trail at Callahan Park direct young children and their parents through a variety of activities, including hopscotch, making up songs & stories and looking for wildlife. Comilla says the trail is a great addition to the park. Also pictured are, board members Debbie Curtin and Steve Williams and UWBA Executive Director Mandi Wilton Davis. The project was funded by American Refining Group, the Blaisdell Foundation and the United Way, with several businesses providing in-kind contributions. About two dozen volunteers helped install the trail on Saturday. Davis said Comilla, Mayor Tom Riel and Bradford City Council members have been supporting the project since she first approached them with it. The trail starts at the Bradford High-area entrance to the park, loops around the splash pad, goes past the basketball co...

Anne Gingerich, Pennsylvania Association of NonProfit Organizations (PANO) New Executive Director, visited with Leaders from Local-Nonprofit Organizations on Wednesday at the Ashley Booth Griffin CARE for Children Center in Bradford. When Gingerich became the new Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO) in December of 2013, she immediately started reaching out to people in communities around Pennsylvania to listen and learn about their strengths, resources and needs. The event was hosted by The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce, CARE for Children and The United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc; and also attended by representatives from the YMCA of the Twin Tiers, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, Evergreen Elm, The Bradford Area Public Library, McKean County Department of Human Services, The Nonprofit Partnership of Erie, PA and board members from area non-profits. According to PANO officials, the event was part of PANO’s Listening Tour, wh...

Leadership McKean honored the graduates of its 2013-14 class on Friday at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Throughout the year, program participants focused on issues affecting McKean County in areas like health and human services, economic development, education and tourism. To end the year, participants developed presentations that were inspired by the year’s topics and presenters. This year’s class developed the following presentations, many of which will be implemented in the future: Bradford Ecumenical Home, Inc.—Residents on the Go! Financial Literacy Volunteer McKean Facebook Site Mobile Library Bradford Area High School Career Awareness and Workplace Readiness Program Mike Glesk, a member of the Leadership McKean Steering Committee said that with 24 graduates, this is the largest Leadership McKean class in the program's eight-year history. To date, 142 participants completed the program. During the graduation ceremony, Dan Minich a...

The longest day of the year will be an impactful one as well, with the United Way of the Bradford Area’s 4th Annual Live United Day of Action scheduled for Saturday, June 21st. The event, sponsored by American Refining Group and the Philo and Sarah Blaisdell Foundation, will focus on providing an interactive learning experience for young children by installing a Born Learning trail at Callahan Park. The trail will consist of 10 (12” by 24”) aluminum signs, placed throughout the park, and printed with engaging, early learning activities. Shapes, letters, and a 12’ hopscotch court will adorn the park’s sidewalks, which correspond with the signs’ activities. Although geared toward children up to age five, the trail also serves as a tool to help parents and caregivers find simple, yet clever ways, to incorporate education into a child’s daily life, beginning at the earliest possible stages. “I am excited for our organization to be able to offer this to our local community,” said Execut...

The United Way of the Bradford Area hosted the annual Red Feather Volunteer recognition luncheon on Thursday, honoring Lisa Minich. The event, which took place at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, is held to honor outstanding individuals and/or businesses who have made an impact on the United Way of the Bradford Area, and the local community as a whole, through their day-to-day selfless attitudes and commitment to exemplifying the organization’s mission of enhancing the quality of life in the greater Bradford Area. Minich was presented her award by close friend, Jeannine Schoenecker, and her son, Dan Minich. “Over the last three years, Lisa has been the driving force behind the success of the leadership division, during which time giving in this category went from a little more than $40,000 in 2011 to more than $57,000 in 2013,” said Schoenecker. Dan Minich referenced his grandfather - Lisa’s father - as being her philanthropic inspiration. “My mom would tell me stories ...

Futures Rehabilitation Center clients Tom Miller, Ashley Peterson and Mike Walter have been selected as the United Way of the Bradford Area’s 2014 Excellence in Representation honorees. The trio were part of the Speaker’s Bureau for the 2013 campaign, but have long-been volunteers and advocates for the local United Way. “I am so happy to be able to recognize my three friends with this honor,” said Executive Director Mandi Wilton Davis. “Between them, they spoke at 25% of our workplace presentations, and were able to tell their personal stories to more than 300 people. “Everyone to whom they spoke walked away with a better understanding of not only the relationship between Futures and the United Way, but the importance of continuing to give to the annual campaign to ensure that they and their peers could continue their jobs at the workshop.” Tom, who is a Bradford native, has been at Futures for 44 years, and has been a member of the Speaker’s Bureau for the past five. “A favorite...

The United Way of the Bradford Area will honor Lisa Minich with the Red Feather volunteer award at a luncheon on Thursday, May 1, officials announced today. “Lisa is the perfect example of ‘once they’re in, they’re in for life,’ said Executive Director Mandi Wilton Davis. “She began her volunteer efforts as a member of the campaign cabinet back in the mid-1980’s, and when family and work obligations required her to step back from her campaign involvement, she remained a constant advocate. She re-joined the campaign cabinet in 2011 as co-chair of the Leadership Division, which this year saw a 17% increase in contributions,” said Davis. The Red Feather award was implemented to honor outstanding individuals and/or businesses who have made an impact on United Way, and the local community as a whole, through their day-to-day selfless attitude and commitment to exemplify the organization’s mission of enhancing the quality of life in the greater Bradford area. Minich, a Bradford native, ...

Helen Cole, secretary of the Elderberries Club of the Smethport Senior Center, looks on as Mandi Wilton Davis, Executive Director of the United Way of the Bradford Area, explains the application to request funding through the Smethport Campaign for United Way. Applications are due April 1 and can be received at www.uwbanews.org or by request at admin@uwbanews.org. For more information, please contact the United Way office at 814-368-6181.

The United Way of the Bradford Area is celebrating the successes of the 2013 campaign, and officials are inviting donors to join them on February 20th for an open-house event. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at the UWBA office at 161 Main Street. Attendees are asked to RSVP if planning to attend. The “Life Is Good When You’re United” campaign exceeded the $330,000 monetary goal, but Executive Director Mandi Wilton Davis says there’s a great deal to be touting. “I’m so proud of everything that came from the 2013 appeal,” said Davis, “from the new donors, to increased contributions, to new agencies and programs being funded. Even efforts that may not have necessarily gone as planned allowed us the opportunity to learn and grow, which only means bigger and better things for your local United Way.” For more information on the event, or to RSVP, call the United Way office at 814-368-6181. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947