United Way nears goal

November 09, 2000

United Way nears goal

By ANDREA BROWN-HURLEY / Staff Writer

Contributions to the United Way of Washington County's fall 2000 giving campaign exceed $1.3 million, campaign Vice Chairman Art Callaham announced with a twang Thursday at a Western-themed campaign luncheon.

Donations now total 80 percent of the agency's $1.7 million goal since the campaign began Aug. 30.

"This is unbelievably exciting news," said Callaham, standing in for campaign Chairman Mike Callas and United Way President Richard Gagliardi, who were out of town.

The absent campaign officials were featured on wanted posters that dotted the cowboy hat-filled meeting room at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Hagerstown.

A posse of pseudo-sheriff's deputies rounded-up United Way volunteers and company representatives whose outstanding involvement propelled donations to this year's campaign far beyond last year's pace. By this time last year, funds collected were at 48 percent of the goal, which was also $1.7 million.

The posse gave awards to 10 local "pacesetter companies," which together launched the campaign with $463,000 in contributions.

Caring Counts Awards were presented to the team leaders of 17 organizations that donated volunteer time during the Day of Caring on Aug. 30.

Callaham thanked that event's chairwoman, Rhonda McDaniel of sponsoring company Columbia Gas of Maryland, for the "dedicated volunteer service" that made the Day of Caring such a success.

McDaniel presented a Columbia Gas award to United Way Executive Director James Taylor and Community Relations Director Bill Bulla "to thank them for the wonderful and outstanding job that they have done."

Washington County Chamber of Commerce members gave Taylor a $2,000 check for the campaign. The donation represented one-third of the funds raised at a recent golf tournament.

Citicorp Credit Services employees Diane Davis, Carla Waldeck and Susan West were honored with the United Way Spirit Award for coordinating a company giving campaign that exceeded its $300,000 goal.

A number of companies were also recognized for increasing their employee and/or corporate contributions by at least 25 percent over last year. One of these businesses, TruServ, increased its employee donations by a "whopping 779 percent," Callaham said.

Information about contributing to the United Way can be obtained by calling 301-739-8200.

|

|

|