TRUMBULL COUNTY United Way is nearing halfway point to goal

One goal is to make people look through United Way to the agencies it supports.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- James L. Crouse stood before campaign volunteers and sported bright red suspenders emblazoned with the United Way logo.
"I wore these in 1989 when we raised $3.1 million," said Crouse, retired director of engineering from Delphi Packard Electric Systems and 2003 campaign chairman for the Trumbull County United Way. "These are my good-luck suspenders."
With that, Crouse called up those in charge of each division during Wednesday's meeting at the Warren YWCA to issue their reports for the halfway point of Campaign 2003.
In the end, volunteers learned pledges and contributions to date stand at a little more than $1.2 million, or 48 percent of the $2.5 million goal.
Also during the meeting, Janet Schweitzer, executive director of SCOPE Inc. of Trumbull County, spoke to volunteers about her organization in an effort to give them a better idea of what United Way means to the agencies it supports.
How funding helps
Developed 41 years ago, SCOPE provides enrichment opportunities to senior citizens with programs and services at four centers. The agency is important to this area, she noted, where close to 20 percent of the population is 60 or older.
With funding through United Way, Schweitzer said, SCOPE is able to secure $4 in state and federal grants for every $1 provided by United Way.
"And our credibility and standing in the community is greatly enhanced by our association with United Way," she said.
She pointed out how SCOPE works with other agencies in the county supported by United Way, forming a network of programs and services.
Crouse added to that, saying the goal would be "to make United Way transparent, so you could see right through it to the agencies themselves."
United Way of Trumbull County helps fund 29 health and human service agencies that provide more than 140 programs to 137,000 individuals annually.
United Way concentrates its efforts on services that strengthen families, enrich the lives of seniors, promote health and wellness, provide emergency services and more.
Individuals, businesses and organizations interested in participating in Campaign 2003 can call the United Way offices at (330) 369-1000.
slshaulis@vindy.com