United Way sets goal of $1.5M

Special to The Vindicator

SHARON, Pa.

The United Way of Mercer County will launch its annual giving campaign with a $1.5 million goal and a new campaign organizational structure.

“$1.5 million is a big jump from the previous few years when the campaigns generated about $1.1 million. However, the campaign organizers and the United Way board of directors think that community pride and friendly competition can entice more people to give. And that makes this goal very reachable,” said Jim Micsky, executive director.

The United Way will officially kick off the campaign at its annual Restaurant Revue at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Avalon Country Club at Buhl Park.

Immediately before the event, Frank and Linda Evans, 2010-11 Honor Society co-chairmen, will host a reception for Honor Society members who contributed $1,000 or more to the previous year’s campaign.

The United Way is structured around three main topics — education, income and health. The leaders for this year’s campaign represent education and include 15 area school administrators who will serve as co-chairmen.

To help launch the 2010 campaign, school district pace-setter campaigns are under way. Employee meetings take place during in-service meetings.

“These schools are highly competitive,” said Dan Bell, superintendent of the Hermitage school district. “That’s why we’ve established a traveling trophy that recognizes highest giving per capita. It’s all about friendly spirit of competition between schools and making a worthwhile campaign both successful and fun.”

Participating schools and districts include Brookfield, Commodore Perry, Farrell, Greenville, Hermitage, Jamestown, the Keystone Adolescent Center, Lake-view, Mercer, Mercer County Career Center, Reynolds, Sharon, Sharpsville and West Middlesex.

Leaders for future campaigns will be selected in the arenas of income and health.

For tickets to the Restaurant Revue, contact the United Way at 724-981-1884 or uwmc@uwmercercounty.org.