MAHONING VALLEY Economy increases need for funds

United Way has 27 percent of its $3 million goal.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- When the economy is in trouble, the need for human services increases, said Don Cagigas at the kickoff of the 2005 Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way campaign.
Cagigas, United Way president and chief professional officer, thanked the volunteers who attended Wednesday's Breakfast of Champions for their support and participation in United Way's annual Day of Caring, which followed the breakfast.
This year's general campaign goal is $3 million, some $820,000 of which has already been raised through early gifts and the Pacesetter campaign, which began July 21, said Richard C. Stevens, Pacesetter chairman. Stevens is vice president of Charter One Bank.
The Pacesetter portion of the campaign consisted of businesses' running early fund-raising efforts to "set the pace" for the general campaign, said JoAnn Stock, United Way director of marketing and resource development.
"Human service agencies and the community are depending on us to have a successful campaign," said Robert Shroder, campaign chairman.
"A wonderful event such as the Day of Caring is a great way to kick off the general campaign," said Shroder, president and chief executive officer of Humility of Mary Health Partners.
What takes place
During the Day of Caring, volunteers from companies from throughout the community take on needed projects at United Way agencies.
For example, employees of Butler-Wick and Co. helped teach computer skills and English classes for adults at Organizacion Civica y Cultural Hispana American (OCCHA).
"It is an awesome experience to be able to help," said first-time United Way volunteer Linda Sentgeorge of Wampum, Pa. "The students are so open and ready to learn. This experience will encourage me to be involved again," said Sentgeorge, an operations manager for investment management at Butler-Wick.
Gloria Christman of Sharon, Pa., and Cindy Serich of Poland, employees of Anthem Blue Cross & amp; Blue Shield, were among a number of Anthem and Nationwide Insurance workers who spent several hours Wednesday sorting and reboxing food at Second Harvest Food Bank. The food bank distributes about 20,000 pounds of food a day to area food kitchens.
"There is personal satisfaction in helping out, and also seeing where United Way dollars go," Serich said.
Some of the employees did not even know Second Harvest Food Bank existed, Christman said.
Christman and Serich are also co-chairwomen of the United Way campaign's loaned executive committee.
Making a difference
At the breakfast, Shroder said that through the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way, people from the Mahoning Valley join together to raise and distribute funds to address key issues and make a difference in the lives of thousands of individuals in the community.
United Way also announced special incentives for the upcoming campaign. Any donor who gives a minimum of $2 a week, or a total annual gift of $104, is eligible to win a two-year lease on a 2006 Chevy Cobalt, donated by Sweeney Chevrolet. Details of the drawing are available on the United Way Web site, www.ymvunitedway.org.
The Community Benefits Coupon Book, which contains discount offers from 48 local businesses, will also be available to all donors who give a minimum of $2 a week.
alcorn@vindy.com