Lycoming County United Way Closes in on Campaign Goal

 Lycoming County United Way (LCUW) officials report that the annual campaign is creeping closer to its goal as the new year also draws near. To date $1,245,493 have been pledged, representing 91% of the $1,375,000 goal.

Gains since the last public report have been fueled by strong increases in employee giving at several companies with a history of United Way support. Employees of the Genetti Hotel increased their giving by 71% over last year, Jersey Shore Hospital increased their giving 68%, and Alcan Cable increased their contributions by 34%. Also adding a boost to the campaign was JW Aluminum – whose employees contributed more than $7,000 in their first-ever in-house campaign.

“We’re pleased with the progress we have made towards our goal over the past few weeks,” said Scott N. Lowery, LCUW Executive Director. “We are awaiting the receipt of results from several of the regional and national companies that have yet to report final numbers that could push us over the top.”

National firms such as Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Best Buy, Gander Mountain, Federal Express, and Enterprise Rent-a-Car run employee campaigns during the fall but do not report results to local United Ways until the end of December or January. Campaign leadership has reviewed the past history of these national accounts as well as other outstanding accounts and believes that if contributions are in line with the past few years the goal of $1.375-million can be achieved. However, end-of-year donations from individuals interested in providing additional support to Lycoming County United Way could assure a successful campaign.

“While we believe the contributions we have projected to come in will help us achieve our goal, we would certainly appreciate any donors contemplating year-end contributions to strongly consider the United Way,” said Chuck Luppert, 2007 Campaign Chairman. “Reaching our goal is just a minimum standard that we have set for ourselves. The programs supported by Lycoming County United Way can use all the funding they can get to create the positive outcomes that improve the lives of our friends and neighbors across the county.”

Anyone interested in making a gift to the 2007 United Way Campaign can visit www.lcuw.org or call the United Way office at 323-9448. Contributions can also be mailed to Lycoming County United Way, 1225 Clayton Avenue, Williamsport, PA 17701.

Lycoming County United Way will announce the final campaign achievement at their Campaign Celebration on January 22, 2008, at the Community Arts Center. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public. RSVPs are appreciated and can be made by calling the United Way office at 323-9448. 

Proceeds from the annual campaign help Lycoming County United Way create lasting change right here at home. Last year alone, LCUW mobilized nearly $1.3-million to improve the lives of Lycoming County residents.