United Way Falls $2,500 Short of Goal

Agencies Will Still Get Full Funding

The United Way of the Bradford Area closed the books on the 2013 campaign, “Life Is Good When You’re United”, coming up just $2,500 short of the $330,000 fundraising goal.

“I’m truly so happy with the successes of this appeal,” said Executive Director Mandi Wilton Davis. “Aside from being so close to that 100%, we can assure our agencies that no one will receive a reduction in their 2014 monthly allocations, which is the most important thing.”

Davis said that diligent, responsible and strategic work on the part of the Board of Directors led to the agencies being able to receive their full allocation.

“They (the board members) take their responsibilities very seriously, especially that of determining which agencies receive funding from the annual campaign(s), and they worked very hard to determine what would be best for those agencies – and our community – in the end,” said Davis.

Campaign Co-Chairs Mary Boser and Lisa Boser-Miller expressed their appreciation and enthusiasm for all of the support received since the beginning of the process in August.

“Yes, we would like to have our headline read that we met goal or even surpassed goal,” said Mary, “but we’re very proud of what our community has accomplished through their annual United Way giving.”

“In the end, it’s not necessarily the dollar amount that we should focus on,” said Lisa, “but rather the numbers – the number of agencies and programs which will receive funding through this campaign, the number of our friends and family and neighbors who will be impacted by those services – that’s what is important.”

The other number that Lisa said was imperative this year was that of new donors.

“To those folks who signed that pledge card for the first time, we thank you for taking that step with us, for saying that you believe in the United Way and what we do for our community.”

From what can be accounted for, there were nearly 75 new donors this year, which does not include many of the employees from various corporations.

“Often times we don’t see who it is that is contributing through pay-roll deduction, so I’m sure that number would be much higher if we were able to account for those individuals,” said Davis.

UWBA Board President, Steve Williams, expressed his personal appreciation to those who made the 2013 campaign a success.

“We can’t thank the staff enough for the hard work they put into this appeal, as well as our campaign volunteers, board members and partner agencies who were out there advocating on behalf of the United Way.

“And, thank you, of course, to the donors who amaze me with their generosity year-in and year-out. We hope we, as an organization, express appropriately how truly grateful we are to you.”

Davis said that the theme of “Life Is Good When You’re United” was fitting for this campaign.

“It’s funny because obviously the theme is decided upon long before the start of the actual solicitation process, so to sit back now and think of all of the intricacies of the 2013 campaign, I can honestly say there probably wasn’t a more fitting theme.”

That theme was decided on based on a competition amongst local elementary school students. The winning theme came from the 2012-2013 3rd grade students in Mrs. Johnson’s class at School Street Elementary.

“Being a part of this campaign has proven to be an eye-opening experience,” said Mary. “I thought I was in the loop as to the needs of the organizations for which the United Way supports, but the needs in our community are so much stronger than I ever anticipated.

“I am proud to have represented such a fine organization as so many worked extremely hard striving to meet our goal,” she said.

“Many corporations, businesses, schools, and individuals gave back to our community, and all have combined efforts to spread the message Life is Good When You’re United. Thank you for being a part of such an amazing effort,” said Lisa.

So, what’s next for the local United Way? “Well, we are in the process of planning our special events for the 2014 calendar year,” said Davis. “And, there were several goals that I had set for myself for 2013 that I didn’t accomplish at the office, so those are next on my list. Then, there’s campaign 2014, which will kick-off in just seven months!”

For more information, please visit the UWBA website at www.uwbanews.org.

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