The United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties has reached 45% of its goal.
During the 2020 Campaign Mid-Way Report held Thursday afternoon at Hotel Morgan and sponsored by MVB Bank, the United Way reported $613,264 was raised so far. This year’s campaign goal is $1,345,000.
Bankers United, this year’s campaign chairs, made the announcement during the “Back to the Future”-themed event. The bankers are Dena Clutter of BB&T, Herman DeProspero of MVB Bank, Harry Hayes of Clear Mountain Bank, Jim Karinshak of United Bank, Chris Morris of First United Bank & Trust, Jill Pazerski of Huntington Bank and George Petroplus of WesBanco.
Over the past month, the bankers have been raising their own money in a piggy bank battle to see who could garner the most cash. Karinshak was announced the winner of that challenge Thursday, winning a golden piggy bank trophy.
Macall Speaker, director of development for the United Way, said she’s excited about how this year’s campaign is rounding out.
“We’re just under halfway to the goal,” she said. “I feel confident in the campaign chairs, employee coordinators and ambassadors who are working to fundraise and advocate for the United Way. We just need to keep up the momentum in order to reach the goal by mid-December.”
The event served as the official mid-way point to the fall United Way fundraising campaign. In addition to the campaign update, a time capsule from 1999 was opened for the crowd. It included several mementos from that year’s campaign such as a cassette copy of the public service announcement, a T-shirt signed by HealthWorks staff, a letter from the United Way staff and a statement from that year’s campaign chair Steve LaCagnin.
Steve Lakkagnan Chair of the 1999 United Way of Mon and Preston Counties looks at items from a time capsule at the United Way 2020 Campaign Mid-Way Report at the Hotel Morgan Thursday.
Attendees were also encouraged to bring keepsakes to fill another time capsule, which will be buried soon by United Way staff. Items to be buried in the time capsule can be dropped off at the United Way office, 278C Spruce St., Morgantown, from 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Monday-Friday.
In addition to the time capsule, some of the attendees dressed the part in their best “Back to the Future” and 1980s garb. Retro candy and “Back to the Future” paraphernalia adorned the tables.
This year’s campaign theme is Invest In Your Community. The money raised during the annual United Way campaign stays in Monongalia and Preston counties, providing support to 46 programs at 24 agencies. For more information, visit http://www.unitedwaympc.org.
United Way events
— Emerging Leaders Halloween Social, from 6-8 p.m. Monday at K2 Lounge beneath Kegler’s Sports Bar.
— Celebrity Bankers Bartending Challenge, from 5-8 p.m. Nov. 6 at Kegler’s Clubhouse.
— Campaign Wrap-Up, from noon-1 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Erickson Alumni Center.
