PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Twenty-five people representing various businesses and organizations around The County attended United Way of Aroostook’s Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast Sept. 12 at Café Sorpreso in Presque Isle.
Those in attendance heard the mission and work of United Way of Aroostook. Campaign managers were encouraged to bring the message back to their workplace in an effort to garner financial support for United Way of Aroostook through workplace campaigns and payroll deductions. Monies collected through those campaigns are used to connect programs and agencies with needed resources.
“We are more than fundraisers. We help identify needs in the community and bring key players to the table to collaborate and create lasting change, but we cannot do that without you, our Employee Campaign Managers,” said Sherry Locke, United Way executive director.
Locke highlighted the 17 local health and human service agencies United Way of Aroostook funds, as well as some of the programs they coordinate internally which support the health, education, and income of Aroostook County citizens. Guests shared information about their campaigns and why they support the work of United Way.
The 2019 Campaign Committee has set its goal at $675,000. The committee has worked on a campaign video, which was viewed publicly for the first time at the breakfast. The video featured this year’s Campaign Family, the Lahey family; Tony, Amber, and 8-year-old twins Meredith and Morgan. The video will be available for viewing on both their website and their Facebook pages soon.
“We are very proud to be a part of an agency where local people are raising funds to help local agencies which serve individuals, seniors, and families. We like how those funds are overseen and distributed by local volunteers,” said Tony Lahey, treasurer of United Way and Campaign Family member.
United Way has 65 workplace campaigns throughout Aroostook County which come in all shapes and sizes, but collectively account for 50 percent of the total campaign. The remainder of the campaign comes in as individual donations, events, grants, in-kind donations, corporate gifts, and special fundraisers.
To find out more about the work of the local United Way or how to become involved in the local campaign, please contact the office at (207) 764-5197.
