United Way News

Thanks to thousands of loyal and generous donors, the Lycoming County United Way (LCUW) annual campaign has raised $1,531,967 to address local human service needs, more than $100,000 over last year’s campaign as well as the highest amount in the organization’s history.

“The heightened awareness and compassion of our donors, both individual and corporate, for the county-wide critical missions of LCUW program partners drove the success of this campaign,” said Virgil Probasco, LCUW 2011 campaign chair. “The people of Lycoming County understand the growing needs of the human service programs and trust United Way to be a good steward of their investments. We are very pleased with these results and we want to thank each and every donor who participated in the campaign.”    

 United Way provides funding for more than 40 programs in Lycoming County that meet the community’s most critical needs nurturing children, caring for people in crisis, strengthening families, supporting seniors, and serving those with special needs. LCUW officials point out that 97% of funds raised stay in Lycoming County. Read More »

For the seventh consecutive year, Pennsylvania’s One Book, Every Young Child program will lead the way to highlight the importance of early literacy development in preschooler ages 3 to 6.  The program has been developed by librarians and museum educators from across Pennsylvania to promote the value and benefits of reading early and often to preschoolers and to encourage family bonding through books and reading.

 Throughout the year, there will be local events supporting the One Book, Every Young Child including author and illustrator visits at select locations across the state, special library and museum programming for families, as well as activities for parents, early childcare providers. Read More »

Adrienne Wertz

Lycoming County United Way has announced the appointment of Adrienne Wertz as the organization’s Director of Funds Distribution and Community Building, effective February 1. Wertz has previously served as the Assistant Lifestyle editor at the Williamsport Sun-Gazette.

In her new position, Wertz will direct United Way’s annual allocation process distributing funding to county human service organizations, serve as the liaison with the 43 Program Partners operating under the local United Way umbrella, work with and develop collaborative efforts with human service and community organizations, assist with the annual campaign and participate in trainings for the many volunteers assisting with United Way led projects. Read More »

Left to right, Tracy Haas, Marty Muggleton, and Jackie Travelpiece were honored as Valiant Volunteers

On Tuesday, December 6, Lycoming County United Way (LCUW) thanked the countless volunteers who have been diligently working on the annual campaign this fall. More than 100 LCUW supporters gathered at the Holiday Inn for the event hosted by George & Olga Tsunis to honor the volunteers and celebrate the campaign efforts.

 “We are fortunate to live in a community where neighbors care about one another and will pitch in a helping hand to someone in need,” said Virgil Probasco, volunteer chair of the 2011 LCUW campaign and executive vice president of Wirerope Works. “We could not fund the most critical human service needs here in Lycoming County without the support we receive from residents and business leaders. Tonight, we honor and thank the volunteers who do the heavy lifting and help make it all come together.”

LCUW handed out a number of awards to outstanding volunteers throughout the evening’s program. Read More »

Lycoming County United Way (LCUW) officials have reported $805,838 has been raised in the annual campaign to date.

 “Contributions have picked up in the last few weeks,” said Virgil Probasco, LCUW volunteer chair of the 2011 campaign. “It is heartwarming to see our friends and neighbors donate to United Way to help one another. Their generosity is showing through each week as the campaign progresses and grows.” Read More »

In the midst of the devastation left behind from the September flood, the kindness and generosity of the human spirit has flourished.

 “Our community has always found a way to be there for one another when it mattered most,” said Virgil Probasco, Lycoming County United Way (LCUW) volunteer campaign chair. “Just as a variety of flood relief efforts were being established to help with the most immediate needs, our United Way launched the annual campaign to sustain the funding for the 43 local human service programs that depend upon United Way contributions on a year-round basis,” explained Probasco. “Our campaign typically runs September through November. Out of respect for those urgent community needs due to the flood, we delayed some of our early campaign efforts but the multitude of human service needs in this county did not go away. They were there before the flood and they will remain after it, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 12 months a year.” Read More »

Just past the half-way point of its twelve-week annual campaign, Lycoming County United Way (LCUW) officials have reported $299,610 has been raised.

“We have been optimistic throughout the early planning process and the beginning weeks of the campaign,” said Virgil Probasco, LCUW volunteer 2011 campaign chair. “We’re happy to be making progress and seeing the donation totals increase week to week. We understand this year is still far from ‘business as usual’ for many families and small businesses and we are genuinely pleased to see the people of Lycoming County supporting one another and giving a helping hand to those in need.” Read More »

Similar to the area’s progressing recovery from the September flooding, Lycoming County United Way officials describe the 2011 campaign progress as ‘ongoing and steady’ during the drive’s first few weeks.

 “Due to many weather related difficulties so many people encountered last month, our campaign got off to a slower start than normal, but we have seen steady improvement since then with more than a quarter million dollars collected to date,” said LCUW campaign chair Virgil Probasco. Read More »

Two weeks into the 2011 Lycoming County United Way campaign, officials see signs of encouragement with the early returns. Since the September 15th kick-off at Loyalsock High School, $158,173 has been raised. Read More »

Successful candidate will work in coordination with the LCUW Board of Directors and Executive Director.  Responsibilities include managing the organization’s Funds Distribution and Community Building activities, maintaining and fostering positive relationships with participating human service programs and community groups, coordinating various grant application processes and assisting in the annual campaign.  Read More »