Bradford United Way at 95 Percent of Goal

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 through the RFP (request for proposals) process exceeded funding by 11 percent.”

Schoenecker added, “The landscape of our community would be vastly different without the United Way, which currently benefits 29 agencies and 51 different programs. A significant number of these agencies rely on the United Way for substantial portions of their funding, without which these agencies would not be able to provide the high level of services our community deserves.”

Minich continued, “You can give the gift of hope this holiday season by making a charitable contribution toward the 2014 campaign, which wraps up Jan. 5.”

If you haven’t made a pledge, but would like to Be a Champion, please contact the United Way at (814) 368-6181, via e-mail at admin@uwbanews.org, or online at www.uwbanews.org.

Pictured, the United Way got some help Thursday updating the campaign goal thermometers from students and staff of Growing with Grace Christian Preschool. Director Leeanne Cuddy (center), Malaysia Smith-Ellis (r), and Oliver Taylor fill in the red, as UWBA officials announced that 95% of the $345,000 goal has been raised with just under a month remaining in the appeal. Smith-Ellis, 2, is the daughter of Tim and Deneen Rowe of Bradford; Taylor, 3, is the son of Scott and Erica Taylor of Bradford.
United Way photo

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