Campaign Progress
PRESS RELEASE
June 3, 2011
Armstrong Foundation of Lancaster, PA gives Clinton County United Way $5,000.
Armstrong World Industries has been a longtime supporter of United Way and Beech Creek plant's new manager Greg Gordon is looking forward to continuing the tradition by supporting the Clinton County United Way's efforts with the annual gift giving campaign again this fall. Last year Armstrong employees locally raised $1,127.
Photo left to right:
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. Greg Gordon, Plant Mgr.; Tami Jones, Plant Accountant/Purchasing Mgr.; Angela Harding, CCUW Executive Director
According to Clinton County Untied Way Director Angela Harding, the recession and its aftermath have battered local charities, which have faced growing demand for services in our area. The Clinton County United Way, whose annual workplace giving campaign raises approximately $250,000 thousands of dollars annually to help those chairities survive, has not been immune.
Coming off a three-year downward trend in contributions, the Clinton County United Way has announced a more conservative funding plan for 2011-12 that trims several thousand from its funding partner agencies and their programs. The previous three-year plan was drawn up months before the economy tanked during 2008 and 2009.
It promised distributions to more than 20 agencies and programs throughout Clinton County, although those allocations were made as promised, it is painfully clear that moving forward that same level of obligation cannot continue at the current level of participation from donors.
“We all hope we are on the other side of the worst of the economy,” said Clinton County United Way Director Angela Harding. “The economy is a great challenge for all of us. The demands are generally increasing, and people don’t have as many discreationary dollars as in years past. Harding continued, “The Clinton County United Way would rather have donations exceed expectations, increasing its support for local charities, than have to reduce support as a result of donations failing to meet the target, as is the case in 2010.
This year marks the Clinton County United Way’s 85th Anniversary as a coorporative agency to support community services. In seeking funds for its needs in the 2011-12 campaign, the Clinton County United Way is graphically reflecting on changing times since July 1926 when the agency’s predecessor, The Lock Haven Community Chest (LHCC) came into existance.
The founders of the LHCC each concerned through individual community agencies for the welfare of people who had needs beyond their own avaialbe resouces, launched a united effort to raise the first “Community Chest” of $19, 238 dollars for three (3) of the city’s health agencies, the Children’s Aid Society, the Lock Haven Hospital and the Community Services Assocation.
As leaders of well recognized individual services, each of the founders had already devoted time, money, and interest to one of the original three agencies. Mrs. T.C. Hipple, Mrs. Mary Ball Armstrong, and Mrs. H.S. Satterlee to the Children’s Aid Society; J.H. Kremm and William Caprio to the Lock Haven Hospital; and Mrs. George G. Green to the Community Service Association. They combined on July 14, 1926 to form a citizenship of people, unitedly concerned for the development of a way to support community needs.
Today, the Clinton County United Way continues this tradition with “People Helping People” through gifts from contributors that are supporting more than 20 leadership agencies and programs programs. While structure and name have changed, the original purpose continues to be the touchstone of the Clinton County United Way as it goes into its 85th year.
Early settlers working their way up the West Branch of the Susquehanna gave a “helping hand” to neighbors in need and in return received help. The lumberjacks and the barge man would not pass without assisting those in trouble. The farmer’s barn was “raised” by friends and the rampaging river receded leaving tales of help and heroism by neighbors and friends.
As we look forward to our future years, we pause to look at the past 85 years of history for the Clinton County United Way and see how much progress we’ve truly made to improve Clinton County residents and the efforts of many individuals who have participated were not in vain. Those of us who direct the optations of the CCUW today must vigorously protect the idea of a “united charity” to support the many member agencies and the vital programs that serve our community.
From 1926 starting off with just three agencies to support and under $20,000 a year in donations, distribution grew to a dozen agnecies by the 60’s with more than $122,000 dollars worth of contributions by 1969 maintaining an average of 125-150,000 dollars worth of funding to support 12 local partner agency programs through the 70’s. The floods of 72 and 75 caused some vacillating with making goal, it was able to continue growing and supporting the bulk of their partnerships without major losses.
During the 80’s Clinton County needs grew and the Clinton County United Way struggled to reach a goals of $150-185,000 dollars annualy to support 12 member agencies. Since 1926 more and more was expected, yet income to carry on their work got tighter as Piper Aircraft, the largest employer in the county told the nation and local workers that production would cease in Lock Haven to be consolidated at florida plants. It was a major catastrophe for Clinton County residents.
The local residents who took on the job of raising United Way money those years knew they did so with many obstacles to be overcome. They labored over quotas, and made cuts where necessary with the knowledge that raising money is a thankless job. But those who signed on to go shake the bushes for money are to be commended for they too were busy people, yet they found the time and put forth the effort to make sure the Clinton County United Way survived as well as their partner agencies and essential programs to be supported.
Violet Walker of Flemington was one of those truly committed individuals who served as Executive Secretary with the Clinton County United Way for 27 years before retiring in July 1985, lauded for her dedication by being presented with a specailly engraved music box keepsake for her years of service. Many volunteers, Board of Directors and donars have provided strong support in the past 85 years… too many mention at this time. And, like our roots, now is not the time to stop or lower gifts to the Clinton County United Way – It is essential that donors know how local agencies operate, and understand the relationship they have with the Clinton County United Way, and just how important funding is to them.
This year, as always, the Clinton County United Way donations will help the people in our community. The annual campaign drive benefits go to almost 100% of local Clinton County residents only. With partner agency request totaling just under $260,000 for the upcoming 2011-12 fiscal year regrettably, we will only be able to fund a portion of that since the 2010 campaign fell short. Reaching only 90% of goal there is still a need of almost $30,000 to meet the upcoming demands from agencies going forward into 2012.
Therefore, The Clinton County United Way needs your help! You as individuals must know that our common interest is what gave us roots and continues to the tradition of a “United Charity” for the community. You make it work. Without you CCUW would not exist. Therefore, the staff and board of directors are asking everyone to give a little more this year – 5 to10% more if possible, and if you have never given to Clinton County United Way, start this year and help support those who need it the most in our community.
Help make a difference in Clinton County, make a donation to the Clinton County United Way for the following essential human service agencies:
1. The Aids Project
2. The American Red Cross
3. Annie halenbake Ross Library
4. Catholic Charities
5. Clinton County Community Connections, Inc.
6. Clinton County Community Dental Clinic
7. Clinton County Housing Coalition
8. Clinton County Women’s Center
9. Community Nursing Services
10. Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA
11. Horses of Hope
12. Infant Development Program
13. Keystone Community Network, Inc.
14. Lock Haven YMCA
15. Lock Haven Child Care Center
16. North Central Sight Services
17. Susquehanna Council of Boy Scouts
18. Valley Prevention Services
19. Western Clinton County Recreation Authority
For more information on how you can help call 748-7856 --220 North Jay Street, Lock Haven or on the web at www.clintoncountyunitedway.org
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