Northern Berkshire United Campaign off to a strong start01:07PM / Tuesday, November 18, 2008
As early returns come in from area schools, businesses, major employers, and residential donors, it looks like Northern Berkshire United Way is well on its way to surpassing last year's campaign total of $696,000.
At its annual kickoff breakfast earlier this fall, Campaign Chair Jim Brosnan, superintendent of McCann Regional Technical High School, challenged supporters to raise the bar. Brosnan, NBUW Board President Maureen Baran, and new NBUW executive director Jim Canavan called for an aggressive, proactive campaign to raise $750,000.
The NBUW board feels that, by adding hundreds of donors to the United Way family, including some 90 more businesses, the goal can be reached, even in a roughed-up economy. Brosnan said then, "It is to that end that I ask us all to renew our vigor in this campaign and to set a new standard of helping. We have set a goal of dollars to be raised of 750K but we also want to expand our giving to those in our community who might have never supported us or with whom we have lost contact."
Since the fall kickoff breakfast, teams of volunteers have fanned out through northern Berkshire County. And their work is paying off. Northern Berkshire Healthcare has blown past its previous donations. Doctors, nurses, technicians, facilities staff, and administrators are signing up and increasing their giving. Schools all over north county are coming in with new donors at higher numbers.
The creative economy is making its presence felt in new ways, with artists asking how they can help. Younger professionals, new to the community, are sending in pledge cards and volunteering to help. Said Jim Canavan today, "We continue to be humbled by the graciousness of this community. It's early, but I am optimistic that we can reach our goal. It's important that we raise this money, as many of our member agencies are being hurt by state budget cuts."
"We still need all hands on deck," says Baran. "If everybody pitches in, we'll be OK."
For pledge cards and more information, Canavan is available at 413-663-9062. Donations may be mailed to NBUW, 85 Main St., P.O. Box 955, North Adams, MA 01247. |
