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Mandi Wilton Davis has been named Executive Director for the United Way of the Bradford Area, according to Vonda Reese, president of the United Way board of directors. The announcement was made on Tuesday December 18, 2012. “The Personnel Committee, as well the members of the Executive Board, have spent the past several weeks in performing a search, conducting interviews, and ultimately arriving at this decision regarding the new Executive Director,” states Reese. “The Board has full confidence in Mandi’s ability to lead the United Way of the Bradford Area, hopefully for many years to come.” Davis, who previously worked for the United Way from 2004 to 2010, will serve as chief executive officer in organizing the annual fundraising campaign, including the development of a plan with a campaign budget, goal, procedures and timeline; implementing the operational budget and policies; maintaining strong relationships with community leaders, agency representatives and donors; developing...

With only 4 days left in the United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc.’s annual appeal, the organization announced today that it has raised 75% of its $330,000 goal. The campaign officially closes on December 15, but the organization’s staff will continue to accept donations until January 5, 2013. “Last year at this time, the appeal was at approximately 80% of goal. We truly need the entire community’s support to reach $330,000 and ensure that agencies can still receive the funding they need to continue services,” United Way Board President Vonda Reese said. “It doesn’t matter what you give, just that you give and invest in your fellow neighbor, especially during this holiday time.” As always, United Way is stressing to the community the policy and practice of keeping 100% of the donations local. “We are committed to working to make sure we use every donor dollar to do the most good in the greater Bradford area,” said Executive Director Megan Minich. A separate solicitation for the ne...

The United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. has made great gains in recent days, announcing today that the organization has raised 50 percent of its $330,000 goal. “We couldn’t be more excited about this,” says Executive Director Megan Minich. “We are so grateful for the community’s generosity. In the past two weeks, we have received a substantial amount of pledges in response to our appeal. Donations have come in large and small, from individual community members to larger corporate gifts, and they all add up. We still have a lot of work to do with less than a month remaining.” “The support from our community members, professionals, businesses, corporations and their employees is astounding. We have had a great response to our employee presentations,” says United Way Board President Vonda Reese. “People in this community know what we are trying to accomplish and really get behind the mission of the United Way.” “The greatest aspect of a donation to United Way is the efficien...

After two and a half years of leading the efforts of the United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc., Megan Minich has announced her resignation as Executive Director, effective December 15, 2012. “My heartfelt gratitude goes out to the entire Bradford community for embracing my leadership and my passion for this organization,” says Minich. “The devotion of past and present board members, donors, volunteers and staff has made my short time at United Way so much more than just a job.” Minich, who has served in this capacity since June 2011, began her career with UWBA as a Community Relations and Marketing Specialist in 2010. As a Warren, PA native, she welcomes a new opportunity in her hometown; however Megan and her husband, Brian, will continue to reside in Bradford as she looks forward to playing a vital part in our local volunteer community. With the assistance of the United Way campaign team, Minich will finish out the 2012-2013 Campaign: LIVE UNITED as Executive Director. Efforts w...

United Way of the Bradford Area has made its second thermometer posting of 2012-2013 Campaign: LIVE UNITED, announcing that the organization is currently at 30% of the $330,000 goal. “We’ve had a successful business solicitation period with 6 new business donors contributing to this campaign. The new support of those businesses along with 39 new individual donors is a testament to our community members who are invested our community’s future,” stated Executive Director, Megan Minich. Business Division Co-Chair Deb Huston added, “We are very pleased at reaching this milestone in our campaign; however, we need to keep the momentum going. The support of the entire community is essential to reaching our goal. I have come to know Bradford as a very warm and giving community and I am confident that we will succeed.” “United Way of the Bradford Area has also seen a positive response from the one-time mailing appealing to the Smethport area for donations,” stated Minich. “Our goal is to...

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...

United Way of the Bradford Area’s 2012 appeal has officially begun, with a theme of “Live United.” Chairing this year’s campaign are Steve Cottillion of Northwest Savings Bank, Christine Minich of Zippo Manufacturing Company, and Karen Costello-Pecht of Control Chief Corporation. “With the community behind the United Way, we believe we can accomplish anything. Karen, Chris and I look forward to working with our wonderful and caring community to help everyone Live United!” said Cottillion. The annual campaign, which runs from August 15 through December 15, has a goal of securing pledges from the community through workplace campaigns and individual contributions that benefit the local United Way’s 18 affiliated agencies and 39 programs in the areas of education, income, health and rebuilding lives. The local staff and volunteers will spend the next four months soliciting the community, especially by the use of the workplace campaign presentations. Speakers from partner agencies are eager...

Cara Costik has been selected as the Community Relations Specialist for the United Way of the Bradford area, according to Vonda Reese, president of the United Way’s board of directors. “The Board of Directors is excited to welcome Cara to the United Way organization,” says Reese. “Her qualifications, education and commitment to the area will be an asset to the organization as we move into the 2012 - 2013 campaign.” United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. is a non-profit organization with the mission of raising and distributing funds for the purpose of community building and enhancing the quality of life in the greater Bradford area. “I am honored to have been chosen to represent the United Way and very excited to continue strengthening the Bradford community through the work of this wonderful organization,” says Costik. “The United Way is vital to enhancing the well-being of the Bradford community.” Costik will manage external communications, fundraising, community involvement and volun...

Manu Gajanan will have a debut piano recital in which all proceeds from the event will benefit the United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. Gajanan, 15, is the son of Dr. Shailendra Gajanan, associate professor of economics at Pitt-Bradford, and has been playing piano since he was 7-years-old and under the instruction of Ritsuko Wada. Megan Minich, Executive Director, said “We are honored that the Gajanan family would like the proceeds to benefit the United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc., which in turn supports 17 agencies and 38 programs in the Bradford area.” Dr. Gajanan added that “We wanted the proceeds to go to United Way because we would like to give back to the Bradford community.” The recital will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 24, in Bromeley Family Theater at Pitt-Bradford. Admission will be free for the recital but donations are encouraged. Light refreshments will be served after the performance in the lobby directly outside of the theater. For further information, pl...

The United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. announced today the final results for its 2011 Campaign: Live United and Lend a Helping Hand. With a campaign goal of $325,000, organization officials announced the final amount raised at $328,730. “We are so proud and appreciative of the Bradford community for stepping in to achieve this goal,” says Executive Director Megan Minich. “We are ecstatic with the total raised during this campaign season. More importantly, we’re grateful for the amount of good these dollars can do and the lives we can change through our partner agencies with the money entrusted to us.” Board President Vonda Reese added that “We could not achieve this kind of success without the hard work and dedication of numerous volunteers. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we would like to thank campaign co-chairs Christine Minich, Karen Costello-Pecht, and Steve Cottillion for their enthusiasm and commitment to United Way and this year’s appeal process. In addition to this yea...

The United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. announced today that the organization has reached 100 percent of its $325,000 goal. The local staff, campaign volunteers and board of directors are extremely grateful to the Bradford community. “We are so excited to have reached goal right before Christmas. This is a fantastic gift to the Bradford community and its agencies that rely on United Way funding, says Megan Minich, Executive Director. “We put out a plea for help to the community, and have been overwhelmed with the generosity of so many individuals and corporations that stepped in to meet our need.” Although the organization accepts contributions throughout the year, donations received by January 5, 2012 will count towards this year’s campaign. The Bradford community can expect the final announcement regarding the campaign in early January. For questions regarding campaign 2011, “Live United and Lend a Helping Hand,” or to make a financial donation, please contact the United Way office...

The United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. announced today that the organization has reached 90% of its $325,000 goal, with roughly $30,000 left to raise. Although the official appeal process ended December 15, the organization will continue to accept donations until January 5, 2012. “If the campaign falls short, the deficit will be equally applied to all funded agencies,” says Megan Minich, Executive Director. “We hope to not have to write that letter notifying our funded agencies of a shortfall in this critical year of need. At this time, we are counting on the generous nature of the Bradford community to step in with a last minute pledge to help us reach goal, hopefully by Christmas.” Campaign Co-Chair Karen Costello-Pecht added that “We are grateful to the loyal contributors that support United Way year after year. Even though the economy has created problems for a lot of us, we still were able to gain 75 new donors this year. I’m proud to say that I’m a part of this amazing communi...

The United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. has made great gains in recent days, announcing today that the organization has raised 50% of its $325,000 goal. “We couldn’t be more excited about this,” says Executive Director Megan Minich. “We are so grateful for the community’s generosity. In the past two weeks, we have received a substantial amount of pledges in response to our appeal. Donations have come in large and small, from individual community members to larger corporate gifts, and they all add up. We still have a lot of work to do with less than a month remaining.” “The level of loyalty of our donors is truly inspirational,” says United Way Board President Vonda Reese. “People in this community know what we are trying to accomplish and really get behind the mission of the United Way.” “The greatest aspect of a donation to United Way is the efficiency of one gift to help so many people in need,” continued Reese. “Last year’s campaign allowed our organization to provide funding to 1...

The United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. announced today that the organization has raised 27% of its $325,000 goal. With roughly six weeks left in the United Way’s annual fundraising drive, officials of the organization are asking for the community’s help in achieving its goal. Executive Director Megan Minich stated that “This year the United Way provided critical funding to 17 agencies and 38 programs in the Bradford area. Without United Way funding, many of these agencies will not be able to continue providing key services to those less fortunate. The need for these funds is greater than ever due to state budget cuts to many of our partner agencies, as well as the tough economic challenges that we face as a society. We are already seeing an increase in the number of agencies requesting support and in the amount they are requesting.” United Way Board of Directors President Vonda Reese added that “We are fortunate to live in a community that has been very caring and generous. I am hop...

The United Way of the Bradford Area has made its first thermometer posting of Campaign 2011, “Live United and Lend a Helping Hand,” announcing that the organization is currently at 20% of the $325,000 goal. “We received an early boost with the generosity of the many corporations and financial institutions that support the United Way. 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 Chair Lisa Minich added, “I’m excited and honored to be a part of this year’s campaign. The need in our community is greater than ever for the services and programs provided by the member agencies. Being at 20% this early in the campaign is a true testament to th...

United Way of the Bradford Area’s 2011 appeal has officially begun, with a theme of “LIVE UNITED and Lend a Helping Hand.” Chairing this year’s campaign are Steve Cottillion of Northwest Savings Bank, Chris Minich of Zippo Manufacturing Company, and Karen Costello-Pecht of Control Chief Corporation. “Going with the United Way Worldwide ‘LIVE UNITED’ theme is so timely this year as we work to show that we are all interconnected. What happens to our neighbors matters to us, and we have a stake in their success. That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED and lend a helping hand,” said Costello-Pecht. United Way officials have again set the goal at $325,000, which was not raised from the 2009 and 2010 goals. “With the current economic climate, we did not feel that this was the time to raise our goal. However, with state budget cuts to several of our partner agencies, the need to pull together as a community and surpass this goal is greater than ever” said United Way Executive Director Megan Mi...

United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. and partnering community organizations are gearing up for a busy day Sept 17th! The “Day of Action” is a day where volunteers from all walks of the community will join together to advance the common good on issues of education, income, and health. The “Day of Action” can help people make the connection on how their efforts will lead to a stronger community, whether it is reading to children, improving financial literacy, or cleaning the streets. “This is a great day for community members to give back through volunteerism to the non-profits the Bradford Area,” state Megan Minich, Executive Director. The United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. has partnered with the following community organizations and agencies to make this a joint effort: YWCA of Bradford, Olean-Bradford YMCA, CARE for Children, the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, RSVP, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services, the Bradford Ecumenical Home/Chapel Rid...

Dina DeSantis has been selected as the Community Relations Specialist for the United Way of the Bradford area, according to John Peterson, president of the United Way’s board of directors. “The Board of Directors is excited to welcome Dina to the United Way organization,” says John Peterson, Board President. “Her qualifications, education and commitment to the area will be an asset to the organization as we move into the 2011 LIVE UNITED campaign.” The United Way of the Bradford Area is a non-profit organization with the mission of raising and distributing funds for the purpose of community building and enhancing the quality of life in the greater Bradford area. “I am honored to have been selected to serve the United Way and the Bradford community in this capacity,” says DeSantis. “The United Way is vital to enhancing the well-being of the Bradford community.” DeSantis will manage external communications, fundraising, community involvement as well as volunteer management for the United...

The United Way of the Bradford Area held its second annual Grocery Grab Wednesday evening at Tops Friendly Market, which donated $425 worth of grocery and gas cards to the three contestants. The women had 3 minutes to race through the store and fill their carts with the most expensive items. In all they got more than $3,000 worth of groceries in those 3 minutes. (All the groceries went back on the shelves. The women can go back to Tops later and shop for what they really want -- not just expensive dog food and "Shake Weights.") ... and their off! Brenda and Mary Lou try to maneuver their full carts without hitting customers. Kelly Case lets the shoppers know how much time they have left. Heading for the checkout ... and checking out ... Megan Minich announces the winner ... ... Deb!

Megan R. Minich has been named Executive Director for the United Way of the Bradford Area, according to John Peterson, president of the United Way board of directors. The announcement was made on Wednesday June 8, 2011. “The Personnel Committee, as well the members of the Executive Board, have spent the past several weeks in performing a search, conducting interviews, and ultimately arriving at this decision regarding the new Executive Director. Megan’s job performance in her previous role as Community Relations and Marketing Specialist has been outstanding, and she has fully lived up to the Board of Director’s expectations in her performance of duties and responsibilities that accompanied that position,” states Peterson. “The Board has full confidence in Megan’s ability to lead the United Way of the Bradford Area, hopefully for many years to come.” The United Way of the Bradford Area is a non-profit organization with the mission of raising and distributing funds for the purpose of co...