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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...

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 Well, that news is outdated already.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...

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...

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 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 ...

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, ...

The local community continues to show its support for the annual United Way campaign, as 20 percent of the $330,000 goal has been raised to date. “I am so excited to give this update,” said Mandi Wilton Davis, Executive Director. “We are working hard to maintain a strong pace throughout the campaign, and we’re so appreciative of the generosity we’ve seen so far.” Nearly half of the contributions received have come from the leadership/professional division, which is co-chaired by Lisa Minich and Jeannine Schoenecker. “We are excited and pleased with the increases we are seeing at the Leadership Level of giving this year,” said Minich. “With so many individuals in our community facing extremely difficult times, it’s inspiring to see the generosity of giving at this level.” Schoenecker echoed those remarks, adding, “It is during times like these that makes us proud to be part of such a caring community.” With two months remaining in the campaign, United Way staff and agency represe...

United Way of the Bradford Area has made its first thermometer posting of 2012-2013 Campaign: LIVE UNITED, announcing that the organization is currently at 20% of the $330,000 goal. “We received an early boost with the generosity of the many leadership donors that support United Way and our mission. We also are very grateful with the number of individual donations from the community, which all add up and truly do signify the ‘Live United’ concept,” stated Executive Director, Megan Minich. In the coming weeks, Minich noted that “the United Way is scheduling employee presentations within many of the community’s organizations, so you’ll see the red rising relatively quickly.” Leadership Division Co-Chair Lisa Minich added, “I’m excited and honored to be co-chairing the Leadership and Professional Division with Jeannine Schoenecker. As professionals in a community that has allowed our careers to flourish, we are privileged to be considered leaders in our community. We also understa...