PHOTO PROVIDED Clinton County United Way Director Carleigh Johnson, left, is pictured with outgoing board president Jason Walker, center, and incoming president Jaimee Kester, right. Walker stepped away from the role after a decade of service.

LOCK HAVEN — One chapter has closed and another opened as long-time Clinton County United Way Board President Jason Walker steps away from the role and welcomed its first woman into the leadership position, Jaimee Kester.

Walker was the longest serving president, holding the title for 10 years as the head of its leadership team.

“As our organization’s longest serving board president, I am proud of our strong managing practices in the areas of transparency, diversity and equality and meeting community needs. I gain my passion for serving the Clinton County United Way through the vast members of the community that we are able to give opportunities to, that they may not otherwise have,” Walker said after stepping back from the role.

Kester is the first woman to serve as board president of the Clinton County United Way. She is the associate director of recruitment at the Pennsylvania College of Technology with an expertise in recruiting and client engagement which has assisted the non-profit in its fundraising efforts and event planning.

“I’m proud to serve an organization that financially supports multiple important community resources that have a direct impact on our neighbors in need,” Kester said. “The United Way’s mission is to fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our community and I’m glad to be part of that fight in Clinton County.”

Other board members include:

— Andrew Kremser, First Vice President

— Ashley Rippey, Second Vice President

— Lisa Ruggiers, Treasurer

— Christina Mader, Secretary

— Jocelyn Hackenberg

— Crystal Zbegner

— Samantha McIlwain

— Alex Nyarko

— Janet Kennedy

The Clinton County United Way serves as the unifying leader for local community action. It provides fair and impartial direction bringing together diverse and effective resources to build problem solving coalitions for the delivery of needed programs and services to the residents of Clinton County.

These services are there to bridge the gap for the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employee) population within the county.

According to 2023 Point-in-Time Data, Clinton County’s ALICe households were slightly above the state average, standing at 30 percent. The state’s average at the time was 28 percent.

The United Way’s partner agencies for the new fiscal year are:

— Annie Halenbake Ross Library

— Scouting America-Susquehanna Council

— Catholic Charities

— Clinton County Community Dental Clinic

— Clinton County Housing Coalition

— Horses of Hope

— Infant Development Program

— Lock Haven Area YMCA

— The New Love Center

— North Central Sight Services

— Clinton County 4-H

— Western Clinton County Recreation Center

It also offers direct assistance in a variety of programs such as the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, referrals for shelter, food and health, Operation Warm and the Stay Mobile, Stay Employed Program.

The Stay Mobile program is the newest initiative and is a grant designed to help ensure those in need are able to continue to have vehicle access to get to work and other important appointments.

According to United Way Director Carleigh Johnson, the program has so far helped five individuals in Clinton County with funds available to help even more.

To learn more about the Clinton County United Way and its mission, or to donate to its cause, visit www.clintoncountyunitedway.org.