On Thursday, November 29 members of our community gathered at the Lebanon Country Club for United Way of Lebanon County’s mid-campaign leadership report meeting.
United Way’s 2018-2019 Campaign Chair, Kristen Watts, SVP of Fulton Bank, welcomed community leaders and shared progress on the annual campaign. To date, United Way has raised $852,350, approximately 50% of the goal of $1,750,125. Significant increases in participation and dollars raised by employers participating in the annual workplace campaign included Jonestown Bank, PA Precision Cast Parts, and Lebanon Valley College.
Representing the title sponsor, EnVision Financial, Maine Keith discussed the importance of community leadership. She shared her family’s commitment to providing children opportunities to succeed through volunteerism and philanthropic commitments to local organizations striving to make a difference. In her presentation she acknowledged the 117 individual community leaders that joined United Way as Pacesetter Donors who have in total contributed over $130,000. She gave a special recognition to the Francis J. Dixon Foundation for their generous gift of $50,000.
The evening was highlighted by guest speaker Dr. Arthur Abrom, Superintendent of Lebanon School District, who shared the opportunities and challenges our community’s children are confronted with. Being relatively new to the community, he commended the audience for the partnerships and efforts to assist children and families reach their full potential.
Kenny Montijo, CEO of United Way, rounded out the evening by announcing that the United Way of Lebanon County Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve leading in the development of a Community School Initiative in the county of Lebanon. A Community School is both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and community that leads to improved student learning, stronger families, and healthier communities. In paraphrasing Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, Kenny shared, most people overestimate what they can accomplish in one year and underestimate what they can be achieve in ten years. Next year, United Way will launch the “Breaking Barriers. Building Community.” 2025 community goals to move 7,000 adults to self-sufficiency; ensure 100% of youth are connected to work or school; and increase childhood literacy to 90%.
To support the United Way or to donate, please contact 717.273.8144 or visit unitedwaylebco.org. United Way of Lebanon County thanks EnVision Financial Group, Penn State Milton S. Hersey Medical Center, and FirstEnergy Foundation for their support of this event and the 2018-2019 campaign, ‘United, We Build Our Future.’
