UNITED WAY Early giving to aid final goal

Officials hope the campaign will net 31 percent of the total campaign goal.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way kicks off its Pacesetter Campaign today, hoping to increase corporate and employee giving by 10 percent with an overall goal for the Pacesetter division of $900,000.
The Pacesetter Division is composed of 34 local businesses and all 31 United Way agencies. The companies and organizations have a strong history of support for the United Way and have agreed to run an early campaign to set the pace for the general campaign, which kicks off Sept. 9, said campaign chairman William J. Bresnahan. The pacesetter campaign was to begin with a breakfast today at the Holiday Inn in Boardman.
Early goal
With the results from the Pacesetter companies and early advance gifts, Bresnahan said he hopes to have $1 million, or about 31 percent of the total campaign goal of $3.2 million, raised by the general campaign's start.
"Building momentum in these early months is critical to the success of the annual campaign," said Bresnahan, president of Hynes Industries.
Bresnahan thanked the Pacesetter Committee, which includes chairman Rick Stevens and committee members Amy D'Errico, Andrew Inboden, Rebecca Greenwood and Sharon Foley, all of Charter One Bank; Heather Kestner and Linda Herron of Bank One; Jennifer Miller, Associated Neighborhood Centers; and Paul Garchar, Potential Development Program.
Don Cagigas, United Way President and chief professional officer, thanked all United Way volunteers.
"The strength of United Way starts with our volunteers. People from our community join together to review community needs, establish priorities and raise and invest funds, focusing primarily on key impact areas and the achievement of measurable results," Cagigas said.
Focus for funds
Through the Community Care Fund, the United Way focuses funding on five basic services: nurturing children, enriching the lives of seniors, promoting health and wellness, caring for people in crisis and achieving the community's potential.
Plans are also under way for the general campaign, which will start Sept. 9 with a communitywide Day of Caring, when more than 400 volunteers from businesses complete service projects at United Way agencies.
"Each year, local employees, corporations, small businesses, labor, organizations and individuals contribute valuable resources to our community through our annual campaign," said JoAnn Stock, United Way director of campaign and marketing.
"United Way provides a way for people to work together to make the Mahoning Valley a better place for all of us," she said.
Individuals and businesses interested in participating can call United Way at (330) 746-8494.