NEWS RELEASE

Columbia County Way finishes 2006 campaign with $543,727.

 The Columbia County United Way leaders announced that, from the 2006 Campaign, they had received cash and pledges totaling $543,727.

 Paul Eyerly reported to the Board of Trustees that the fund drive has surpassed the 2005 effort of $528,120 by 3%.

 Eyerly attributed the growth in the campaign to the increased numbers of contributors who had been brought into the ranks of givers through the efforts of his brother Brandon Eyerly.  “We knew that if we could convince more people to participate the dollars would increase.  Brandon worked on an incentive program that did just that.”

 The Eyerly brothers together chaired the 2006 United Way Campaign for Columbia County and posted the second successive successful fund drive.  The incentive program offered prizes to contributors who donated at certain levels.  For a donation of $1 a week - $52 for the year – the donor received a chance at the prize raffle.  Additions up to $4 per week would lead to 5 chances in the raffle which was held at the Campaign Finale last November.  Brandon Eyerly said, “We are grateful to our prize sponsors for the success of this year’s incentive program.  We want to thank Renco Ace Hardware for their donation of a Gas Grill, the Inn at Turkey Hill for their “Getaway Excursion” Bloomsburg Sportsplex for the Annual Membership that was worth $360, Weis Markets for  five $100 gift cards and the Press Enterprise, Inc for ten video iPod’s that added new energy, awareness and donations to the Campaign”.

 The acting President of the United Way of Columbia County, Dr, Alicia Redfern was ecstatic over the results reported to the Board of Trustees.  “Brandon and Paul put so much of themselves into their work and it showed.  They raised an additional $15,600 for the 26 programs that our Member Agencies and Affiliates provide.”

 The brothers were quick to share the success with their Campaign Cabinet.  “We didn’t do this alone” said

Paul Eyerly.  “Without the Division Leaders, Account Exec’s and Campaign Specialists we could not have succeeded”.  “They are the heart, soul and stamina of our Campaign”, chimed in brother Brandon.

 Below is a breakdown of the Campaign by Division leader and amounts raise:

 Tom Conlin                                           Top Twenty                                                          $299,489

Paul Page                                               Finance, Insurance Real Estate                          $  11,968

Gail Menapace                                      Public Service                                                       $112,849

Harry Mathias                                      Education                                                              $  30,321

Lance Diehl                                           Commerce & Industry                                         $  19,083

Noah Naparsteck                                 Professionals                                                        $   7,035

Gene Morrison                                     Small Business                                                     $   4,657

Bruce & Kathy Musser                       Special Gifts                                                          $ 51,874

Art & Clare McMahon                        Retirees                                                                  $   3,898

Dave Artman                                        Agriculture                                                            $   2,552

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