United Way of Beaver County 2022/2023 Campaign Total Tops $1M

June 19, 2023, Monaca, PA: Despite leadership transitions, the United Way of Beaver County (UWBC) has far exceeded its preset goal of $850,000, reaching a milestone of just over a million dollars that can now be used to further the common good in Beaver County Communities. The UWBC Board Treasurer unveiled the 2022/2023 Annual Campaign amount of $1,040,380 at the Recognition Dinner held on June 14^th at Seven Oaks Country Club. The announcement received a standing ovation from individual donors, local companies, United Way member agencies, and the 200+ supporters in attendance who contributed to the campaign.

Harju also presented information on the focus of the next year which is to raise enough money, as part of the Annual Campaign, to provide mini-grants to Beaver County charities, not currently funded through the United Way, but which are in the most poverty-stricken neighborhoods providing food, shelter, after-school programs, and other assistance. Recent data provided by the United Way of Pennsylvania identifies that 38% of Beaver County households are unable to afford the basics of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology. (Source: www.unitedforalice.org)

“I am truly humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve Beaver County in this capacity. I look forward to working with the community as we prepare for the 2023/2024 Annual Campaign and as we begin to focus on helping Beaver County’s health and human service agencies more widely serve those most in need. The end of this evening also serves as the beginning of the 2023/2024 Annual Campaign. And we need everyone’s help more than ever,” exclaimed Harju.

Recognition Awards are given each year to individuals and community organizations who are instrumental in helping the United Way carry out its mission and reach its campaign goal. Harju introduced this part of the program saying,

“The United Way encourages people to Live United and to help us further the common good. The recipients of this year’s United Way awards provide wonderful examples of doing just that.” This year’s award recipients are:

Carol Ruckert Fiorucci Service Award                Curtis L. Thomas, Shell Polymers

Campaign of the Year Award                                 Team Fishel

Community Impact Award                                      Range Resources

Extra Effort Award                                                      Community College of Beaver County (CCBC)

Labor & Trades Award                                               Beaver County Career & Technology Center

Member Agency Award                                            Mental Health Association in Beaver County

New Workplace Campaign Award                         Stoelzle Glass USA

The dinner featured a Texas BBQ buffet and related theme. With a live fiddle and guitar duo, Stephen Weiss Strings, and DJ Jeff “Tank” Lathom playing country songs during the event, attendees were able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the program.

Harju finished the evening by citing from one of her favorite songs, Finish Well, saying “Every day that we are given, we must finish well, finish strong, and give it everything we have. I think we did just that this evening.”