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Reminder Assistant Editor On Sept. 9, department heads for the town of Agawam officially kicked off their annual fundraising campaign for the United Way of the Pioneer Valley two weeks prior of the official Public Sector kick-off in West Springfield on Sept. 25. Kristin Lynch, deputy director of the Agawam Senior Center, also a member of Agawam's fundraising committee, explained that the town wanted to get a jump start on their fundraising efforts in the hopes of exceeding last year's $15,345 donation, second only to the city of Holyoke, which raised $19,029.73. Town employees throughout the Pioneer Valley have the opportunity to enroll themselves in the fundraising effort by donating $3 through weekly payroll deduction or a one-time donation of $156. Municipalities such as Holyoke, Agawam, Springfield, Chicopee, West Springfield, Westfield, Ludlow, Wilbraham, Longmeadow and Palmer raised approximately $115,000 last year, according to Nathaniel Davis, campaign manager for the United Way. West Springfield Mayor Edward Gibson, also chair of the United Way Public Sector Campaign, explained that he will be encouraging his employees, as well as all those in surrounding towns to increase their percentage of participating employees as well as the total amount donated. "It is important for people in the Pioneer Valley to be a part of the campaign because the United Way makes a difference in all communities, through tutoring or elderly services that people might not otherwise receive," Gibson said. The United Way provides funding for health and wellness services, family support services, elderly services, children and youth-at-risk services and food and shelter services for the homeless. Gibson noted that numerous services throughout the area receive funding from the United Way such as the Boys and Girls Club, the Girl Scouts of the Pioneer Valley, the Springfield Jewish Community Center, the YMCA of Greater Westfield, Friends of the Homeless Inc. and the Pioneer Valley Mental Health Clinic. Davis explained that since last year's fundraising campaign launched the United Way's 2-1-1 call service, the program has expanded, offering assistance to all callers 24 hours a day, seven days a week in multiple languages. The service allows those in Massachusetts to call the United Way by dialing 2-1-1 and speak to a representative about locating family, child or parental services in their area. Gibson said a fundraising goal for the overall campaign has not been set as of yet, but that he hopes to double the amount raised in West Springfield this year. For more information about the United Way of the Pioneer Valley go to www.uwpv.org. | ||||||
