Local United Way meets fundraising goal

Front Royal/Warren County group receives more than $112,00 in pledges for its 2011 campaign

By Joe Beck -- jbeck@nvdaily.com

FRONT ROYAL -- The United Way of Front Royal/Warren County has hit its annual fundraising goal for the second year in a row.

The nonprofit organization received pledges of $112,339 through Tuesday, the last day of its 2011 campaign, Executive Director Lee Smith Osina said.

"We are excited, as much as anything because the economy really, truly is difficult," she said.

Smith Osina attributed this year's success to hard work by other board members and an emphasis on contributions from individuals and businesses rooted in the community.

"The idea was let's tell people we're a one-county United Way, all the money we get stays here," Smith Osina said. "People want their money to stay here and help our agency."

Smith Osina also praised Beth Waller, the 2011 campaign chairman. Waller, Smith Osina said, was "absolutely a dynamo" who came up with a simple idea that seemed to catch on with contributors.

Waller asked people to donate $1 a week or $52 a year, Smith Osina said.

"Most of us, even in the current situation, can afford a dollar a week, and that message began to resonate," she said.

The more than $112,000 raised this year is a 17 percent increase over the goal that was met in 2010.

Smith Osnia said the money would be distributed among 13 agencies.

Glenn Burdick, executive director of St. Luke Community Clinic, said he was especially elated as the leader of one of the agencies helped by the United Way.

Last year United Way accounted for $8,000 of the St. Luke's $300,000 in revenues.

"It's a substantial part of our budget each year," Burdick said.

Burdick said he was "delighted" that the United Way managed to hit its goal while the local economy remains in the doldrums.

"It just shows how supportive Warren County is of the United Way and how good a job the United Way board and fundraising director did of getting the word out," Burdick said.