The financial goal is $1 million

Staff report

HERMITAGE, PA.

The United Way of Mercer County will begin its 2013 campaign with the 21st annual Restaurant Revue at Avalon at Buhl Park on Thursday followed by a kickoff breakfast and luncheon Friday at the United Way office at 493 South Hermitage Road.

The financial goal for this year’s campaign is $1 million; $863,317 was raised during the 2012 campaign.

Pacesetter campaigns are underway at Anderson Coach & Travel, Penn Power, Western Southern Life and several area school districts. All business leaders in Mercer County are invited to stop by the United Way office between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Friday to pick up pledge packets with instructions on running an employee campaign.

“If business owners who either do not participate, or who participate at minimal levels, gave only $1 per week, and asked their employees to do the same, we could more than double the money we have available to fund important services and programs for the less fortunate,” said Jim Micsky, executive director of the United Way of Mercer County.

Co-chairmen of the United Way of Mercer County 2013 campaign are: Larry Bilko and David Grande, Huntington Bank; Dan Brinker, Dave Lapikas, Kelly Laughlin, Deborah McMaster, Jill Murrin, Brian Nespor, Bob Piccirilli and Marty Taylor, all FNB; Gary Calleja, Citizens Bank; David DeForest, Stifel Nicolaus and Patty Eagon, all Mercer County State Bank; and Mary Beth McGuire, Northwest Savings Bank.

Volunteers are being sought to help distribute campaign materials to businesses throughout the community. To volunteer or for information, call 724-981-1884.

The 2012 campaign proceeds are invested in 41 programs operated by 27 Mercer County nonprofit agencies. Donations also fund the Success by 6 summer-school program, Micsky said.

United Way of Mercer County, along with Community Counseling Center, Sharon Regional Health System, Primary Health Network, UPMC Horizon, and Mercer County Behavioral Health, are focusing on mental-health awareness during the 2013 campaign.

For information on running a United Way workplace, call Erika Hink, UW campaign associate, at 724-981-1884.