Lancaster, PA (January 24,2008) – United Way of Lancaster County’s 2007 Thank You Celebration, held Thursday evening at Liberty Place in Lancaster, allowed the organization an opportunity to thank almost 400 volunteers and donors for their work in making the annual workplace campaign a success and advancing the common good in Lancaster County. Through individual and workplace giving, which includes both corporate gifts and employee contributions, to date United Way’s campaign has raised $8,906,018, nearly one percent more than last year across the same categories.

“The campaign conducted every fall is really the community’s campaign. It runs because of community volunteers and is fueled by community contributions,” said David F. Wolf, Chair of the 2007 Campaign, on Thursday. “The passion of the volunteers is inspirational. The efforts of the community are remarkable. I know that together we are improving lives and building a stronger community, and I offer my most sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the campaign.”

During the Thank You Celebration, United Way officials honored the many individuals and businesses that made the annual campaign a success. The High Companies received the Spirit of Lancaster Award, United Way’s highest tribute for a company’s community involvement. High employees passed 2006’s record campaign of $191,106, exceeded the company’s own goal and reached $248,529. Donors grew 33 percent, as High reached out to employees at multiple locations and held meetings in both English and Spanish. High also became the third company in Lancaster County to implement United eWay technology, bringing online giving to its employees.

Armstrong World Industries was honored with the Campaign Chair’s Award. In 2007, Armstrong dedicated itself to running a campaign stronger than ever. With the support of senior management, an internal match on new and increased gifts and an outstanding company coordinator, Armstrong employees extended their continuous history as the top workplace campaign. Together, Armstrong employees, including 129 leadership givers (households of $1,000 or more) and seven Tocqueville Society members (households of $10,000 or more), gave $548,279 back to the community, an 11% increase over last year.

Debra Miller, of Isaac’s Restaurant and Deli, was recognized as Campaign Coordinator of the Year. During the eight years Miller has served as Isaac’s campaign coordinator, Isaac’s employees have contributed $348,309 to the community. Their 2007 campaign raised $49,015, a 26 percent increase. Miller prepares all stores with the tools, tips and incentives to run the best campaign possible. As a result, this year eight out of every ten Isaac’s employees supported the campaign and 16 of Isaac’s stores had more than 75 percent participation.

United Way also presented the Agency Commitment Award to Kenneth Harrison, Executive Director of the S. June Smith Center. The award is presented to a representative of a United Way partner agency in recognition of their support of the campaign. Since Harrison became Executive Director at S. June Smith in the fall of 2005, the agency’s United Way campaign has increased 63 percent. As co-chair of the Nonprofit Division on the Resource Development Cabinet, Harrison visited 25 partner agencies to request their support of the campaign and Day of Caring. His diligence paid off, as the Non-Profit Division contributed $138,877 to the campaign this year.

“The annual campaign represents a part of the resources United Way generates for Lancaster County, and it is by far the most visible and significant piece. The time and efforts of those who make it happen deserve exclusive recognition and applause. The Thank You Celebration is the appropriate place to do just that,” Wolf said.

United Way President Susan C. Eckert said the Thank You Celebration focuses on acknowledging volunteers and donors for their efforts and contributions toward the annual campaign and for the hard work and planning that goes into Lancaster’s County’s hundreds of workplace campaigns.

United Way has also begun to generate resources beyond those raised through traditional workplace giving and the annual campaign. Since United Way’s Community Assessment and Needs Report identified five community priority areas, it has obtained more grants for priority areas, especially housing and homelessness, early care and education and primary and preventive healthcare. Coming from a public entity or from a foundation or corporation, grants are directed to specific purposes or projects.

In 2006, $875,797 in grant money, including a $150,000 three-year grant from the Heinz Foundation, pushed the total amount announced at the Thank You Celebration to more than $10 million. In 2007, United Way secured $540,202 in grant money for the community, bringing the 2007 total to $9,800,822.

The focus on campaign and the reporting of grants reflects the changing nature of United Way. Eckert said that United Way has sought to bring grants to the community in a strategic manner. “We seek money and programs that our residents need, and that we, as a community, can sustain. We pursue grants that Lancaster County has the capacity to use reliably and consistently and that will serve our community well,” she says.

Because grant cycles differ and grant awards are received throughout the year, the totals announced at the Thank You Celebration represent only progress report. A final accounting of total resources generated by United Way for the community will be provided at the organization’s annual meeting later this spring.