United Way reaches 84 percent of goal

United Way of Franklin County has reached 84 percent of its campaign goal to raise $720,000. The community effort to raise funds, which began officially in September, has been helped along by the hands of many community individuals and companies as it inches toward the goal, just a month and a half from its conclusion.

Across the community, digital displays have spread the word visually, to "Live United" as the campaign continues.  More than 85 local companies have already pledged their participation for this campaign and outreach continues each day.

101.5, BobRocks Radio reached out to sponsors, local bands, and listeners on December 23rd to support campaign through a live radio broadcast, which ran on the station for five hours and carried the message of campaign across local air waves.

The campaign opened with an art exhibit "LIVE UNITED" on display at M&T Bank, in downtown Chambersburg. The art display would visit three other locations; YMCA in Waynesboro, Mercersburg Inn and Tower Bank in Greencastle during the first eight weeks of campaign. The purpose of the art exhibit was to bring images of community and the theme of campaign to life. Artists from all over the county contributed paintings, photographs and other works to the effort.

Companies from all over the community have pitched-in, to support the effort by allowing their workforce to donate through activities and employee campaigns.

Manitowoc runs an employee campaign each year, but created new incentives this year to encourage giving by their employees. Employees gave, and in return received paid leave time, "bring your boss to work day" and gift certificates for the company store. As a result the Manitowoc employee campaign has increased by 35 percent this year.

Chambersburg and Waynesboro hospital campaigns continue through the end of the year, and have been communicating with employees to stress the mportance of this campaign. Both employers invited representatives of United Way to speak to employees and answer questions about the effort.

Local author, Mitchell Kyd, brought creativity to campaign by donating sales of her newest published work, as part of recently published Chicken Soup for the Soul-Family Matters, to the effort to raise funds.

As campaign continued Campbell Insurance and Investments and Sportsman's Liquidation Outlet partnered to create an event that would boost United Way's efforts, and the first ever Sportsman's Bonanza was held this year.

As United Way turns to the New Year, additional efforts will be made to reach the goal, which is to raise the funds that support the work of non-profits all over Franklin County so that they can improve the quality of life.

Campaign Chair, Nina Gillespie, uses the phrase "Many hands lighten the load" and it has been the work of many hands to bring the campaign to this point. Many more will be needed if United Way is to reach its goal by Feb. 15. To get involved,  call 717-262-0015 or e-mail ahicks@uwfcpa.org