April 20th, 2024 by WCBC Radio

As the annual County United Way campaign nears its 2024 goals in all four counties served by the local charity, the year’s largest single gift has arrived from the owners and employees of The Belt Construction Group.

“This campaign gift of $64,860 will support projects in three of our four service areas as Belt employees live in those three counties,” County United Way Director Michele Walker commented.  “The hard work of CUW staff and volunteers has helped this year’s campaign in reaching our four separate fundraising goals.”

Allegany County Campaign Co-Chair Trish Tichnell explained the importance for each county, Allegany, Garrett, Hampshire and Mineral, to take the lead in identifying and funding their most important needs.

“The closer we get to understanding and answering basic human needs in each county, the more our individual county CUW leaders are getting engaged in year-round advocacy and encouraging giving in their own communities,” she continued.

Campaign Co-chair Brandi Rice said, “We are very encouraged about the energy each county campaign has shown so far this year.”

With an official deadline at the end of April, Allegany County has raised $244,778 within $6,000 of the $251,183 raised in 2023.  In 2024, Garrett County has raised $90,556 compared to $86,604. Hampshire County has raised $22,258 compared to $23,155 last year. Mineral County has raised approximately $58,000 compared to $58,748 in 2023.

Director Michele Walker is hopeful this year’s campaign will exceed last years in all our counties in CUW’s service area.

“Our supporters are very much on board that we need to provide funding to programs that help stabilize families. Many of the requests received by our partners are from families who have never needed to ask for help before.”

“Knowing those issues first-hand has helped inspire campaign committees and CUW volunteers in each county reach out within their networks to hit their 2024 funding goals,” according to Walker.

Funds raised from last year’s campaign are being distributed to Associated Charities, AYEPS, Family Crisis Resource Center, Horizon Goodwill, Pressley Ridge, The Salvation Army, Union Rescue Mission, Western Maryland Food Bank and YMCA Gilchrist. United Way grant recipients include AHEC West, Boy Scouts, Calvary Christian Academy, Civil Air Patrol and Corriganville Volunteer Fire Department.

Trish Tichnell noted in closing that “A rising tide lifts all boats, and it is very moving to our CUW family to see the people who work at the Belt Companies step forward in this time of inflation when needs can spiral beyond the control of many families and individuals.”

To contribute to the annual campaign, visit https://cuw.org/donate, mail a check to 113A S. Centre Street, Cumberland, MD 21502 or call 301-722-2700.