Clinton County readers, if I could have a moment of your time.
My name is Andrew McCune and I am soon to be a graduate of Lock Haven University. My final act as a student of LHU's Communications program is in the form of an internship with the Clinton County United Way. Over the next few weeks I'll be writing a series of focus pieces that highlight the actions and importance of the Clinton County United Way and its partner agencies.
Your United Way just celebrated its 85th year and shows no signs of slowing down. As a member of United Way Worldwide and United Way of Pennsylvania, the CCUW works year-round to get people helping people by focusing on education, income stability and healthy living.
In-house programs include Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which provides local children with free books, and the FamilyWize Prescription Discount Card, a free service saving Clinton County residents up to 30 percent on prescription drug costs. Fundraisers include Trash to Treasure, Realtors Rock and Sports Night and Auction.
Your United Way works tirelessly in its mission "to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities."
To be clear, your United Way does more than hold fundraisers; it facilitates communication and collaboration between its 19 non-profit partner agencies and the local community.
I'll be spending the next few weeks interviewing and researching organizations like the Infant Development Program, Lock Haven YMCA, Community Connections and Horses of Hope, in an effort to shine a brighter light on the work that gives meaning to this idea of "people helping people."
The Clinton County United Way partner agencies include:
r The AIDS Project
r American Red Cross
r Annie Halenbake Ross Library
r Catholic Charities
r Community Connections
r Clinton County Healthy Communities / Dental Clinic
r Clinton County Women's Center
r Clinton County Housing Coalition / Life Center
r Community Nursing Services
r Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA
r Horses of Hope
r Infant Development Program
r Keystone Community Network (KCNet)
r Lock Haven Area YMCA
r Lock Haven Area YMCA Susquehanna Avenue Campus
r North Central Sight Services
r Susquehanna Council, Boy Scouts
r Valley Prevention Services
r Western Clinton County Recreation Authority
Located in downtown Lock Haven with two paid staff members, the Clinton County United Way uses 95 percent of all funding for Clinton County residents only.
Day to day operations of the CCUW are led by Executive Director Angela Harding, working with an executive board of made of upstanding members of the community.
The executive board is presided over by Rocco Rosamilia, of Rosamilia and Brungard law firm, as president. Other officers are Bob Thompson of Diversified Asset Planners, first vice president; Laura Duff of Keystone Central School District, second vice president; Deb Day Barner of HTD Rentals, treasurer; and Jackie Brown of The Express, secretary.
Board members are Janet Miller of Keystone Central School District; Candy Reeder, RN, PA Dept. of Health; Scott Walker, Hearthstone Homes;Jeff Johns, Lock Haven Hospital; Matt Hardy, Lock Haven University Foundation; Gary Gregory, Renovo Area Volunteer; Susan Blesh, Lock Haven University; Jeanne Mincer, RN, PA Dept. of Health; Paula Dickey, Clinton County Career Link; Tracie Christensen, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals; Carla Baney, Carole Hochman Designs; Dr. Michael Fiorentino, Lock Haven University; Robert Maguire, Big Woods Realty;Caitlin Sweeney, TricanWell Services; Leslie Clukey, Sovereign Bank;Tracy Kuntz, First National Bank.
Be sure to keep an eye out for the first story of the series, where we'll take a look at how your United Way works with partner agencies Community Connections and Horses of Hope.
