Continuing one of Lycoming County’s long-standing and important missions, the Lycoming County United Way is in the midst of its annual campaign to support the work of the area’s human service providers in meeting the needs of those whose lives have been affected by adversity.

Webb Weekly is proud to lend our voice and support to that of Impact Advertising, Comcast Spotlight, Backyard Broadcasting, iHeart Media, Lamar Outdoor and the Williamsport Sun-Gazette in asking for your thoughtful consideration in helping Lycoming County United Way help thousands of local residents in their time of need. As they have done since 1922, United Way is a catalyst in providing financial support for the everyday work of a myriad of human service agencies operating under the LCUW umbrella. During the past year the collective United Way support was used more than 28,000 times by area residents.

This year, under the leadership of new LCUW executive Ron Frick, a former banker and longtime United Way volunteer, and campaign chair Rob Glunk, President & CEO of Muncy Bank & Trust, the organization has expressed its intent to be able to provide support for 55,000 services, almost doubling what was provided last year.

“United Ways across the country have experimented with great success on a people or services goal versus a monetary number goal,” Frick explained. “Failure to raise a dollar amount does not mean lack of impact or lack of effort, but focusing on a dollar amount diminishes our purpose, which is to help people. The most money ever raised by our organization was $1.612 million and we considered that as a starting point and tried to double the number of times we served people in Lycoming County last year. We also included Sullivan and Tioga County in the calculation as we conduct campaigns in those areas as well. We were able to help 6,100 times in each of those counties last year, so 55,000 touches seemed like a reasonable goal.”

Frick is no stranger to the annual campaign, serving first as a Loaned Executive in 1984, and working in various divisions of the campaign until serving as Campaign Chair in 2002. In 2003 he became chair of the Peter Herdic Society — the leadership giving section of the campaign. He was also instrumental in working with the late Robert Shangraw in helping to develop the first givers of the Alexis D’Tocqueville Society for donors that contribute at least $10,000 annually.

“As our new President, Ron has been working tirelessly since taking the helm July 1 to put together a team which includes seasoned veterans and a healthy contingent of Leadership Lycoming graduates and community leaders who are ready to show the community their leadership skills and how an investment in our community can make a lasting difference,” Glunk added.

Frick and Glunk lead the volunteer member Campaign Cabinet which serves as the steering committee for campaign operations. Assisting the duo are last year’s campaign co-chairs, Dr. John and Margaret Piper, and this year’s vice chairs, Maurice and Mary Jo Bower.

Members of the Campaign Cabinet Divisions include:

Corporations: LeeAnn Gephart & Brian Brooking (Woodlands Bank)

County Business & Residential:
East Lycoming – Krista Dyer (Muncy Bank & Trust)
Jersey Shore – Elizabeth Hill (Muncy Bank & Trust)
Montgomery – Katie Ulrich (Muncy Bank & Trust)
Montoursville – Kirsten Minier (Muncy Bank & Trust)
Muncy – Kimberly Feigles (Muncy Bank & Trust)
South Williamsport – Kevin Weinhoffer (Muncy Bank & Trust)
Education: Jerry McLaughlin (Loyalsock Township School district)
Energy: Bryan Pauling (Larson Design Group)
Human Service: Melissa Magargle (Family Promise) & Dawn Astin (American RescueWorkers)
Leadership Gifts: Frick & Glunk
Professional: Barry Rake (Kent Bennett & Associates)
Public Service: Tim Mahoney (Community Volunteer) & Paul Nyman (Loyalsock Township Supervisor)
State Employee Combined Appeal: Carolyn Hawk (Lycoming County United Way)
Williamsport Small Business: Michael Loeh (West Milton State Bank)
Williamsport Residential: Mary Engel (Community Volunteer)

Campaign Cabinet member Alyssa Rogers (Larson Design Group) has been tabbed by Frick to direct the work of a 13-member volunteer force dubbed ‘Campaign Ambassadors’.

“For many years United Way worked with a ‘Loaned Executive’ group that helped with workplace campaigns. After an absence of a few years, we asked Alyssa to re-establish this effort,” Frick explained. “Alyssa has directed successful campaigns at Larson Design Group and is, herself, a Leadership Lycoming graduate. Her group will work with small business and corporate workplace campaigns as relationship managers.”

Rogers’ team includes: Tara Day-Ulrich (YWCA); Doug Harkness (James V. Brown Library); Max Houseknecht, Jr. (River Valley Health & Dental Clinic); Jillian Houser (Community Volunteer); Michael Ochs (Best Line Leasing); Trinia Poust (Little League International); Justin Ross (Williamsport Area School District); Heather Stafford (UPMC Susquehanna); Paul Watson (Pennsylvania College of Technology): Tanya Weber (Hope Enterprises); Justin Wenner (Larson Design Group); Kim Wetherhold (Muncy Bank & Trust) and Paula Yeckley (Community Services Group).

For many years, employee workplace campaigns have provided more than 60% of the annual campaign’s achievement. Frick describes early efforts with local employers this year have been “mostly positive” and initiatives are underway to attract both new donors and volunteers.

“To us, a successful campaign is impacting as many lives as we can,” Frick said. “The more we can educate the community on the impact the Lycoming County United Way makes on our community, the easier it will be to get volunteers and expand our donor base. The campaign volunteers we’ve attracted believe in what we are doing. They are committed, passionate and determined to have a successful campaign.”

Frank Guardini, (Riverview Bank Vice President) chairs the LCUW Board of Directors and recognizes both the challenges and importance of his organization’s annual campaign.

“With a large number of nonprofits in our service area, and an increasing need, raising money can be challenging, but not if you are focused on your mission and the people you help. United Ways across the globe are focusing on the most critical humans service needs. With a focus on mobilizing the collective resources in the community, we are not only working together to solve common problems, but we are making an impact together.

“Our goal always needs to be focused on helping more people and having people invest in our United Way local mission. Together we are fighting for the health, education and financial stability of very person in our service area. That is what we mean by LIVING UNITED.”

Glunk, himself a longtime United Way volunteer, understands the impact United Way has in the Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga county areas where LCUW operates.

“I’ve had the opportunity to Chair the Montgomery and Jersey Shore portions of past campaigns in addition to working with campaigns in Williamsport over the past three decades. As a result of my involvement in both the east and west parts of Lycoming County, I’ve observed firsthand the impact LCUW has had on all of our residents. From east to west, community residents and businesses have been generous when asked for a donation because most of them knew of someone in their respective communities whose lives were positively impacted by the United Way.”

“Additionally, I’ve spent time on the allocation committee, and I can assure you that the Lycoming County United Way looks equally at trying to improve all of the residents’ lives, regardless of where someone may live.”

Donors wishing to contribute to this year’s Lycoming County United Way campaign may do so at participating workplace campaigns across the region or individually by mail; 33 West Third Street, Williamsport, PA 17701 or the LCUW website http://www.lcuw.org. For additional information, contact the LCUW office at (570) 323-9448.