CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield Area United Way has started gearing up for its annual campaign, according to Chairman Mark Schultz and Chief Professional Officer Nancy Pinto.
The CAUW’s annual campaign will kick off in October. However, volunteers have already started preparing letters and pledge cards seeking donations.
Board members hope individuals will consider making a donation, even if they do not receive a letter with a pledge card. Donations can be mailed to CAUW, 18 N. Second St., Suite 4, P.O. Box 1430, Clearfield, PA 16830.
The CAUW assists 25 local member agencies in eastern, southern and central Clearfield County.
According to Schultz, the CAUW just wrapped up its 11th annual “Jeans for Teens” project. With help from Kurtz Bros., area teenagers received some new school clothes.
“It’s more than just a nice program for kids. It’s also about building self-esteem and making a difference. It’s a [program] that needs to be expanded,” Pinto explained.
Schultz emphasized that CAUW is in need of donations to enable the project to continue. “We did have an anonymous donor come forward this year, and we are so happy about receiving donations from a local church.”
Individuals, he said, can still make donations to support the “special, once-a-year” project in the future. Checks can be made payable to the CAUW with “J for T” written in the memo line.
According to Schultz and Pinto, the CAUW collaborated 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,” said Schultz.
“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.”
Pinto added, “That’s where the United Way’s Jeans for Teens comes in. The agencies help us in identifying young adolescents who are most in need of new school clothing. She noted that “through a special partnership,” the CAUW had enough funding this year to give each child $100 for new clothes.
Schultz and Pinto would like to extend thanks to JCPenney and Wal-Mart for “giving extra goodies,” which enabled total purchases to be even more. More specifically, they would like to thank Store Manager Philip Kopach of JCPenney and Josh Kunkle and Trudy McCool of Wal-Mart.
