United Way campaign takes flight
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
LOFTY APPROACH TO FUNDRAISING — The United Way of Aroostook’s 2011 fundraising campaign got under way at Riverside Park in Presque Isle Oct. 5, with brightly-colored Sky Lanterns set afloat above the park to represent the lofty goal the agency has of raising $520,000 in the year ahead. Funds raised will benefit area agencies that offer assistance to citizens in need, be it through food donations, fuel assistance or other measures.
PRESQUE ISLE — Officials of the United Way of Aroostook lit up the sky over northern Maine on Oct. 5 at the Riverside Park gazebo in Presque Isle as they launched three-foot colorful paper balloons, known as sky lanterns, to mark the start of the 2010 Capital Campaign.
Dozens gathered at the park for the kickoff ceremony and related activities, including UWA officials, representatives of the many organizations who receive assistance through the UWA each year, community leaders and citizens.
“What brings us here are much tougher times — floods, the need for food or medicine. These are tragedies that come along” and depend on funds raised by UWA to see victims through to another day, said UMPI President Don Zillman, who is currently serving as president of the organization.
He said agencies present for the kickoff ceremony represent those “who do the good work” helping those in need throughout Aroostook.
United Way’s 2010 Campaign Chairperson Virginia Joles said, “This season, every dollar counts and every dollar makes a difference. We have a lofty goal of $520,000 because the needs in our communities have increased. That is why the United Way of Aroostook is asking you and each of our communities to support this year’s campaign in record numbers.”
Joles said balloons were selected for the Oct. 5 kickoff because “we wanted to represent an uplifting event.”
United Way Executive Director Claudia Stevens welcomed everyone, extending a thank you to all for their continued support.
“We couldn’t do any of this without you. There’s no doubt in my mind we’ll reach our goal,” Stevens said.
Stevens said a successful United Way campaign is very important to the quality of life in Aroostook County and also to the 20 agencies and programs that they help fund.
“They rely on our support to carry out their missions. Last year, the United Way of Aroostook was able to meet our campaign goal of $500,000 to help people with disabilities, low-income seniors, disadvantaged youth, families in crisis, survivors of domestic violence and many others. This year, we have set our goal at $520,000; and, we are optimistic that, with the help of the people of Aroostook County who generously donate their time, talent and resources, we will be able to achieve this goal,” said Stevens.
“I am honored that the Board of Directors of the United Way of Aroostook asked me to chair their annual fund drive. I look forward to this campaign year and to the support of the people of Aroostook as we work together to achieve our goal of $520,000. I encourage everyone to give generously this year,” said Joles.
Funds raised will be used to benefit those in need in Aroostook County.
“One reason to donate to UWA is we’re accountable and governed by a board of directors. We serve 46 communities. We’re an Aroostook County agency,” said Stevens, noting, “we get results and lives are improved by the agencies we give funding to.”
Stevens also thanked the Presque Isle Fire Department for their assistance with the project.
For information on the UWA or the agencies it assists, visit www.unitedwayaroostook.org.
MEMBERS OF THE PIFD assisted in the lighting of the Sky Lanterns during the United Way of Aroostook’s ceremony at Riverside Park in Presque Isle, marking the kickoff of the agency’s 2011 fundraising campaign. Pictured bending to light a lantern at the center of the photo is Fire Chief Darrell White; holding the lantern at far right is Grant Spinney, a firefighter with the PIFD. Holding the balloons are unidentified representatives of various organizations that receive funding through the UWA.
United Way’s 2010 Campaign Chairperson Virginia Joles welcomed everyone to the kickoff of the 2011 fundraising campaign at Riverside Park Oct. 5.
