Lancaster, PA (April 10, 2008) – At its annual meeting held Thursday evening, United Way of Lancaster County introduced its supporters to the Live United experience. “Live United is an invitation to Lancaster County, and to communities across the country, to engage with United Way in a personal and meaningful way,” said Nancy J. Tulli, Vice Chair of Communications and Branding.

Tulli explained that United Way’s new brand experience is a calling to give, to advocate and to volunteer. “We are already Living United in Lancaster. Each opportunity is indicative of a way that we carry out our mission to mobilize the caring power of community to build a stronger Lancaster County,” Tulli said.

According to United Way President Susan C. Eckert, United Way sees Live United as an opportunity to include new voices and faces in its efforts and unite the community improve all lives. Changing community conditions and advancing the common good requires the continued contribution of volunteers, a resource that United Way officials cherish. To that end, the organization paid special honor to individuals who have committed their time and efforts to Lancaster County through their outstanding service to United Way.

During a special ceremony, Board Chair Joan K. Paxton dedicated the newly created Thomas H. Bamford Volunteer of the Year Award. The award is a print of artwork created by Matt Chambers, a well-known local artist and United Way volunteer, in honor of the late Thomas H. Bamford, a community leader and United Way of Lancaster County’s first Volunteer of the Year.

“This painting of a single, strong, life-giving tree evokes the steady, graceful and everlasting impact that Tom had on us and our community; while representing the important contributions of all past and future recipients,” said Paxton.

Bamford’s son, Ben, who was accompanied by his mother, Elizabeth, and sister, Amy Bamford Hopkins, accepted the dedication and greeted the past recipients in attendance as they received their awards (a full listing of past winners is attached).

United Way also recognized two other individuals whose volunteer service has made a significant impact on the organization.

Carol D. Hess was presented the 2008 Chair’s Award for her spirit of advocacy and outstanding leadership. Hess, of Cargas Systems, is a long-time Board member and will retire as Chair of the Early Care and Education Solutions Council this year. “As a working mother of two daughters, Carol has long understood the importance of quality early child care and education, and has been committed to increasing awareness and raising the profile of this important issue in our community,” said Paxton.

Katherine Pandelidis Granbois, of McNees, Wallace and Nurick, LLC, was honored as the 2008 Rookie Volunteer of the Year. United Way President Susan C. Eckert praised Granbois, who joined United Way’s Board of Directors and Women’s Council in 2007, for her work as Assistant Vice Chair of Finance, helping to manage many of the most important operations of the organization. “Kathy is thoughtful and ethical, and she offers remarkable insights to the issues of governance that affect this organization; she is a most trustworthy steward of United Way,” said Eckert.

Outgoing Board Chair Joan Paxton was also honored during the dinner meeting. Paxton has a long history of volunteer service with the organization, from 2003 Annual Campaign Chair to leading the Community Needs Committee and defining United Way’s five Priority Areas. She will assume the position of Vice Chair for Community Impact on May 1, 2008.

“Joan has been a dynamic force at United Way, said Eckert. “Our vision – to be a key catalyst to improve lives – is a vision Joan has enacted in countless ways, large and small. Her contributions as a volunteer have made an immeasurable difference to our organization.”

Also during the annual meeting, United Way provided a final accounting of total resources generated for the community during 2007. In addition to the $8,906,018 raised through employee, corporate and individual giving, which was announced at the Thank You Celebration in January 2008, United Way secured $657,702 in grant funds. This amount includes a $117,500 grant awarded this week by the U.S. Department of Health Human Services Office of Community Services for the Women’s Council Individual Development Account Program. United Way also generated $354,602 in sponsorship and other revenue, bringing the total funds raised in 2007 to $9,918,322.

Paxton explained that total resources generated for the community is a standardized reporting mechanism for United Way of America. In addition to annual campaign, grants and sponsorships, it also includes the value of volunteer time, gifts in kind and leveraged grants –grants not received directly by United Way but whose application was facilitated by United Way staff. In 2007, United Way generated $12,899,528 for the community.

Earlier in the evening, the Board of Directors elected Stephen E. Stockwell as its new Board Chair, effective May 1, 2008. Stockwell, a retired Armstrong executive, is the outgoing Vice Chair, Fund Raising and is a past Campaign Chair.

The Board also elected the following officers for a one-year term, also beginning May 1, 2008: Stephen Senkowski, Vice Chair, Administration; Joan K. Paxton, Vice Chair, Community Impact; Nancy Tulli, Vice Chair, Communications and Branding; Michael Frey, Vice Chair, Fund Raising; Robert E. Newcomer, Vice Chair, Finance; Katherine Pandelidis Granbois, Assistant Vice Chair, Finance; Patricia T. Stockwell, Vice Chair, Planning; Susan E. Savage, Secretary.

In addition, 16 individuals were elected to the United Way of Lancaster County Board of Directors. The following will serve a three-year term beginning May 1, 2008: Shaun Balani, Travel Time Travel Agency, Inc.; Scott R. Burky, D&E Communications, Inc.; Greg Carey*, Lancaster Theological Seminary; Joseph C. Harriger, Engle-Hambright & Davis, Inc.; Christine M. Hertneky*, RR Donnelley; Joanne B. Ladley*, Kitchen Kettle Village; Joseph R. Morales, Sr., Lancaster Community Safety Coalition; Robert Newcomer*, bmc llc; Bethany Novis, Reinsel Kuntz Lesher, LLP; Carol Y. Phillips*, Retired, Millersville University; Anthony J. Purcell, Armstrong World Industries/IAM; Mary W. Renner, Laser Plus; Fran Rodriguez, 96th Legislative District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives; Fernando Sanchez*, Fulton Bank; Steve Senkowski, Armstrong World Industries*; David F. Wolf*, Vistage International (* denotes a second term).

1983 –Thomas H. Bamford

1984 – Sara D. Desch

1985 – Norman Shore

1986 – Wendy Puff

1987 – Jean A. Martin

1988 – Richard Collister

1989 – Thomas J. Woodland

1990 – Dorothy A. Haley

1991 – Stephen M. Kraybill

1992 – R. Scott Smith

1993 – Timothea M. Kirchner

1994 – Joan R. Henderson

1995 – Caroline M. Hoffer

1996 – Robert E. Newcomer

1997 – Walt Legenstein

1998 – William W. & Susan C. Adams

1999 – Jay R. Bucher

2000 – Carol D. Hess

2001 – Anne F. McGrann

2002 – Susan E. Savage

2003 – June Groft

2004 – Joan K. Paxton

2006 – Richard A. Watson, Jr.

2007 – Patricia T. Stockwell