United Way of Aroostook nearing campaign goal
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Donations continue to come in, bringing the United Way of Aroostook that much closer to reaching its fund-raising goal this year of $480,000.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
GENEROUS DONATION — A $1,000 check was presented by Gilman Electrical staff to officials with the United Way of Aroostook during the May 22 grand-opening ceremony at Gilman Electrical Supply on North Street in Presque Isle. Pictured from left are: Wanda Guiggey, UWA fund-raising campaign co-chair; Dustin Saucier, inside sales/customer service; Brandon Ballard, profit center supervisor; and Tim Doak, UWA fund-raising campaign co-chair.
“We’re currently at about 95 percent of our goal or $453,658. Our goal is $480,000,” said UWA Executive Director Claudia Stevens.
Stevens said there isn’t much time left to reach that figure. “We’re nearing the end of our fiscal year, which ends June 30.”
“We have all our workplace campaigns in, with the exception of one, and we are waiting to hear from other United Ways from outside of Aroostook to see what will be pledged to our United Way,” she said.
In addition to that, Stevens said she’s waiting to hear about a grant that was applied for earlier in the campaign.
Efforts continue, with one more major fundraiser taking place this month.
“We have one more fundraiser that we are doing: the Paradis Shop & Save Golf Scramble. It’s going to take place June 8 in Fort Kent. If all goes as it did last year, we will make our goal of $480,000. If they do not, we will miss the mark,” said Stevens, adding, “I’m hopeful that we will make our goal.”
A recent donation helped bring the total that much closer to the goal. During a May 22 grand-opening celebration at Gilman Electrical Supply on North Street in Presque Isle, company officials presented UWA officials with a check for $1,000.
“It’s very much appreciated,” Stevens said.
Brandon Ballard, supervisor/customer service representative for the new store, said this isn’t the first time the company has donated to United Way.
“It was strictly a donation from the business. This is the first time donating from this location, although our company has contributed from other locations over the years,” said Ballard.
In addition to the Presque Isle facility, Gilman Electric — headquartered in Irving, Texas — has nine other sites in Maine, from Medway to Portland.
Stevens said every penny counts, since the poor economy has resulted in an increased need for funds.
“The demand for funds has been up this year, but due to less campaign funds being raised, we had less funds to allocate this year. We had about $60,000 less to allocate this year than we did last year,” said Stevens.
She said in all the years she’s been with UWA, this has been the most difficult fund-raising time by far.
“This is the most difficult fund-raising environment that I have experienced in my 13 years raising funds for United Way of Aroostook. Workplace campaigns are the backbone of our fund-raising and we are finding that employers have less employees and that has a direct effect on our fund-raising efforts,” she said.
“We will make every effort to achieve our goal, as we have for the past 13 years. If anyone would like to make a donation, they can do so by going to our website, www.unitedwayaroostook,org, and clicking on the ‘donate’ link. Or they can send a check to: United Way of Aroostook, 480 Main St., Presque Isle, ME 04769,” said Stevens.
