United Way Executive Director Emily Boarts has been with the non-profit since July and enjoys the thrill of meeing new donors during the yearly fundraising campaign.
The United Way, which has been based in Kittanning since 1959, is almost halfway toward its 2012 goal of $150,000, but still needs community support.
By asking community residents to ‘Help Us to Help Others,’ at least 15 Armstrong County non-profits will receive funding for continued education and service to the community.
Executive Director Emily Boarts said the non-profit receives from both regular and new donors. New donors are often found through community fundraisers.
“More fundraisers will be coming as the months come on,” Boarts said. One of which includes an upcoming soup drive in February at Lenape Heights Golf Course.
A total of 15 nonprofit agencies are assisted through the 2012 fundraising campaign: accessAbilities, ARC Manor, Armstrong County YMCA, the Arc of Armstrong County, the Boy Scouts of America Moraine Trail Council, Catholic Charities, the Community Action Mentoring Program, the Freeport Council of Churches food bank, the Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania, Life Choices, Lifesteps, the Mechling-Shakley Veterans Center, the Multiple Schlerosis Service Society, the Salvation Army and the Salvation Army Service Unit.
Donations made to the United Way will go toward the organization’s General Fund, which is divided up between the 15 organizations.
The non-profit community partnerships focus on education, income and health, but donations can also be made to other local charities, such as Orphans of the Storm or HAVIN (Helping All Victims in Need), or even split between two organizations.
The Mechling-Shakley Veterans Center has been associated with the non-profit for three years. Executive Director Sean Taladay said funds donated through the United Way are put in the Activities Fund for events, such as bowling or trips.
“It’s been a blessing to have the United Way as one of our contributors to serve the veterans,” Taladay said.
Non-profit groups interested in becoming part of the United Way’s General Fund should contact the Kittanning organization for more information.
Interested donors can contact the United Way through their Web site, by calling the North Water Street office at 724-543-2610 or through their Facebook and Twitter accounts. Information on how to access both social media sites is available via the Web site.