CLEARFIELD – Clearfield Area United Way Campaign Chairperson Michele Fannin and Chief Professional Officer Nancy Pinto are busy getting ready for the upcoming CAUW Campaign. The Kick-off is slated for 12 p.m. Oct. 3 at the St. Charles Café. The new director from the Lock Haven University, Dr. William G. Curley, will be the featured speaker.
The letter portion of the CAUW Campaign is under way. Board members ask that individuals consider making a tax deductible donation, regardless of whether or not they receive a letter/pledge card, by mailing it to the Clearfield Area United Way, 18 N. Second St., Suite #4, P.O. Box 1430, Clearfield, PA 16830. The CAUW helps 25 area member agencies in eastern, southern and central Clearfield County.
“The United Way helps so many that you’ll be sure to find one on the list that you know of or that you may have a family member involved with, such as libraries, scouts, day care, seniors programs, the Red Cross classes, YMCA, etc.,” stated Fannin. “We ask that you be as generous as possible when giving to the United Way. With funding cutbacks affecting many member agencies, we need to fill those gaps.”
The most recent project, Fannin stated, was the United Way initiative, “Jeans for Teens,” which just wrapped up. She stated the 10th annual “Jeans for Teens” project was done by the CAUW with assistance from Kurtz Bros. She stated it helped area teens get new school clothes for school.
“It is more than just a nice little program for kids, it is building self-esteem, making a difference and one that needs to be expanded,” Pinto added.
During this project, the CAUW worked with area agencies, churches, department stores, youth and shopping mentors. “Teens have to wear presentable clothing to school on a daily basis, and some of their parents just can’t afford it. Feeling accepted, getting along with peers and having a positive self-esteem are all essential to kids. And, at this middle and high school age, how you look and dress can mean so much,” explained Fannin.
“. . . The agencies help us identify young adolescents [who are] most in need of new school clothing,” added Pinto. “Through a special partnership, we had enough money again this year that each child could be given $100 for new clothes. For two days, the youth met with shopping buddies who helped them make wise and appropriate choices about their purchases.”
The CAUW specifically wanted to thank JC Penney and Wal-Mart for giving extra goodies to the kids to enable their total purchase to be even more.
Fannin emphasized that the CAUW needs donations to enable this important program to continue on. She stated the CAUW had an anonymous donor come forward this year and was happy to receive donations from an area church. Fannin stated that individuals can still make a donation to help this special, once-a-year event to continue.
Checks can be made payable to the Clearfield Area United Way, P.O. Box 1430, Clearfield, PA 16830. Donors should write “J for T” in the memo line.