CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands, September 26, 2002 – The board of directors of the United Way of St. Thomas-St. John has set a goal of $650,000 for the 2002-2003 fundraising campaign. Stephen Jones, Caribbean Manager of the Pharmed Group who served last year as the campaign chair-elect, will head up the 2002-2003 campaign.

Jones has gathered a strong group of volunteers to manage this year’s United Way campaign. His committee members include Shirley Quetel Hendricks, Jacquelyn Fredericks, Steve Baker, Micol Morgan, Christine Lloyd, M.D., Terri Todman, Eugene Farrell, Maudlyn Howard, Patricia Blake Simmonds, Carol DeSenne, Muriel Fenton, Angelika Balkarran, and Marion Lynch-Esannason. Each committee member will target their efforts and the efforts of their volunteers to specific segments of the community. Assisting the committee are Susan MacFarland Helton, chair of the United Way’s leadership giving group, The Pacesetters, and Cheryl George-Chance, the Employee Campaign Coordinator.

The United Way’s traditional kickoff and appreciation breakfast will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 28, at The Ritz Carlton St. Thomas. This event will highlight early contributions and pledges toward the campaign, as well as honoring volunteers and contributors from the previous campaign.

The monies raised by this year’s campaign will support the following 18 St. Thomas and St. John human service agencies: American Red Cross, Carabana Ensemble Theater Company, Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands, Civil Air Patrol, Downstreet People’s Youth in Action, Dial-A-Ride St. John, Dial-A-Ride St. Thomas, Ebenezer Gardens, Fair Haven Camp, Friends of Volunteers in Public Schools, Girl Scout Council, Legal Services of the Virgin Islands, Lutheran Reformation Summer Program, St. Thomas Reformed Church Summer Program, Shaky Acres, Victim Advocate Program, V.I. Council, Boy Scouts of America, and the V.I. Institute for Teaching and Learning.