BOALSBURG — Centre County United Way closed its 2016 campaign Feb. 20, announcing an overall total of $1,934,011.
The result is down a bit from last year’s total, which was just more than $2 million.
Two hundred donors, agency staff, volunteers and supporters were in attendance at the Mountain View Country Club event. CCUW executive director Tammy Gentzel thanked the community for its generous support of the 34 partner agencies, according to a United Way press release.
CCUW board chairman Betsy Dupuis and 2016 campaign co-chairman Fran Stevenson introduced the group’s partner agencies and recognized the work they do as a collaborative network to address the needs in Centre County.
“It isn’t easy to have true and meaningful impact when you are addressing just one issue in a myriad, but when you give to a network that works together to address all of the needs you are broadening the scope of impact,” Dupuis said.
Penn State President Eric Barron announced the university’s fundraising total of $794,000. He thanked Penn State campaign chairman Craig Weidemann and the entire Penn State community for its support of the United Way year in and year out. Penn State raised $816,000 in the 2015 campaign.
In sharing the overall 2016 campaign total, campaign co-chairman Chris Hosterman challenged the community to do more.
“The reality is that we need to do better in the future,” Hosterman said. “The demand for the services the partner network provides is increasing year in and year out. As an organization and as a community, we all need to commit ourselves to ‘Living United.’”
Gentzel said she was pleased with the campaign outcome and thankful for the support of community members, local businesses, Penn State University and volunteers. She also noted the important role the agencies play in not only delivering services, but also in advocating for the fundraising campaign.
“The partner network represents the most efficient and impactful way to help people help themselves,” she said.
The Centre County United Way funds more than 100 programs through 34 health and human service partner agencies throughout the county. These programs focus on education, financial stability and health.
For more information, visit www.ccunitedway.org.
