PRESS RELEASE - March 28, 2002 UNITED WAY ACHIEVES GOAL OF $650,000!

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, March 28 – The United Way of St. Thomas-St. John has succeeded in meeting its fundraising goal of $650,000 one day after announcing to its membership at its annual meeting that the campaign goal was “just within sight.” A thrilled Susan Laura Lugo, Campaign Chair, thanked FirstBank for coming forward to pledge an additional $5,000 to make this achievement possible. She said, “this incredible gift is further proof of the civic spirit that is alive and well in our community.”

In announcing this welcomed news, Lugo repeated her message of appreciation that she delivered to the gathering at United Way’s annual meeting held on March 27, 2002 at the Hard Rock Café. She praised the hard work and dedication of the volunteers who “make up the heart and soul of this United Way,” and in particular, the members of her campaign committee. The committee included Shirley Quetel Hendricks of Business Division I; Winthrop Maduro of Business Division II; Raymond Fournier of Major Accounts Division; Micol Morgan and Dr. Margaret Sprauve of Professionals Division; Geraldine Heath of Residentials Division; Louis Hill of Government Division I; Judy George of Government Division II; Leona Thomas of St. John Division; Muriel and Wingrove Fenton and Michael Cabacungan of Membership Division; Angelika Balkarran of Special Events; Silvia Campbell of Education Division; and the United Way staff who handled the Combined Federal Campaign.

Equally as pleased by the news were the representatives of the 17 human service agencies supported by the United Way. The United Way will distribute close to half a million to the member agencies in the form of allocations, technical assistance and access to an emergency fund. The amounts allocated to the agencies are: American Red Cross ($45,000); Boy Scout Council ($46,000); Carabana Ensemble Theater ($4,500); Catholic Charities ($55,000); Civil Air Patrol ($12,000); Dial-A-Ride St. John ($15,000); Dial-A-Ride St. Thomas ($50,000); Downstreet People’s Youth In Action ($25,000); Ebenezer Gardens ($25,000); Friends of Volunteers in Public Schools ($4,000); Girl Scout Council ($43,000); Legal Services of the V.I. ($35,000); Shaky Acres ($30,000); Victim Advocate ($20,000); Lutheran Reformation Summer Camp ($5,000); and the St. Thomas Reformed Church Summer Program ($5,000).