Rotary presents check to UWA
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The United Way of Aroostook recently received a $1,000 donation from the Fort Fairfield Rotary Club, with funds going towards the agency’s annual campaign.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
GENEROUS DONATION — The Fort Fairfield Rotary Club made a $1,000 donation to the United Way of Aroostook in October to aid the agency in its fund-raising efforts. Money raised throughout the year is distributed to various organizations throughout Aroostook County, helping families who need food, shelter and more. Pictured from left are: Claudia Stevens, UWA executive director; Carl Young, president of the Fort Fairfield Rotary Club; and Wanda Guiggey, UWA Campaign chair.
“The money comes from the Rotary Club’s annual cash draw funds. Claudia (Stevens, executive director of the UWA) came and talked to the club this fall. When we heard about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program the UWA is involved with, we wanted to be a part of UWA’s efforts as a whole,” said Rotary President Carl Young.
Young presented Stevens and UWA Campaign Chair Wanda Guiggey with a check for $1,000 during a visit to Stevens’ office in October.
“Every little bit helps,” said Stevens.
“Another reason we’re doing this is it’s campaign time,” noted Young.
Young said the club hosts guest speakers regularly, giving representatives of local groups an opportunity to “tell us what they’re doing and why.”
“It’s easier for me to talk to a group. I spoke to members of Area 1, which is made up of Mars Hill, Presque Isle, Caribou, Washburn, Limestone and Fort Fairfield Rotary clubs,” said Stevens.
“They’re all part of District 7810, which covers parts of New Brunswick, Aroostook and Washington counties,” explained Young.
Stevens said her organization focuses on “doing good work here in the community (Aroostook).”
“Claudia knows better where funds are needed. She does a good job of knowing where the money needs to be spent,” said Young.
Stevens said the UWA is just beginning its fund-raising efforts for the new campaign year.
“We’re about at 10 percent of our goal, which is to raise $490,000. This check brings us one step closer,” said Stevens.
Stevens said about 500 individuals/businesses are signed up in Aroostook, with about 168 of them in The Valley.
“That figure’s now closer to 527,” said Nahar Little, UWA administrative assistant.
Guiggey said she was pleased with the recent sign-up for the DPIL program, held at the Aroostook Centre Mall.
“We had many sign up. It was nice. It wasn’t just Presque Isle families. We had people from Limestone, Fort Fairfield, Caribou and elsewhere signing up as well,” said Guiggey.
Stevens said books for that program are selected annually.
“Books originate with the Dollywood Foundation. They have a team of educators who get together once a year and choose books the program’s age groups, based on age requirements,” said Stevens.
For more information or for anyone interested in making a donation to the UWA or the DPIL program, visit www.unitedwayaroostook,org or mail a check to: United Way of Aroostook, 9 Dyer St., Presque Isle, ME 04769 or call 764-5197.
