CLARKSBURG -- A recent late-campaign rally pushed the 2003 United Way of Harrison County fund-raising campaign to the 100 percent mark Thursday.
It's not unusual for the campaign to go well into February before meeting its goal, although the local chapter hit the mark in December 2001 for the 2002 campaign.
"We got a lot of money from unusual sources," said board President Carol Giles.
Recent contributions from the McClelland Bible School, a planned South Harrison High School Valentine's Day dance and private donors helped United Way hit its mark.
"People just walked in with checks, and a lot of people who had already given came back in," Giles said.
Executive Director Marie Battles gave much of the credit to the division chairs, who have worked very hard over the last month and a half.
Battles said the group knew they were in for a bit of a rough time when the contributions totaled about 91 percent just after Christmas.
But the late contributions, especially from repeat-donors, truly shows the giving spirit and dedication to charities that Harrison Countians possess.
"We have a great community that just responded really well," she said. "We're very fortunate because a lot of others haven't met their goal. This is a good way to celebrate Valentine's Day."
United Way of Harrison County supports many local agencies, including the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Arc of Harrison County, Bi-County Nutrition Program, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, CRISS-CROSS, CASA, Harrison County Sheltered Workshop, YMCA, Hope, Inc., YWCA, Literacy Volunteers, People's Hospice, Rainbow House and the Salvation Army.
For the first time, United Way in 2003 will add Alzheimer's Association and Legal Aid.
Staff writer Jim Fisher can be reached at 626-1446 or by e-mail at jfisher@exponent-telegram.com
