CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands, September 24, 2003 – A goal of $800,000 for the 2004 United Way Campaign was recently approved by the board of directors of United Way of St. Thomas-St. John. The funds raised will benefit 16 local member agencies and services, and venture grant recipients in 2004. This year’s goal is about $150,000 more than the Campaign raised last year.

“While there have been increases in donations to the United Way Campaign in the last few years, the need for the services provided by United Way’s member agencies has increased at a greater rate,” said Steve Baker, United Way Campaign Chair for 2004, and president of Baker Magras and Associates.

“Member agencies are witnessing a rise in the number of clients they serve and at the same time, struggling to keep their doors open as local and federal government support dwindles,” Baker added.

“We recognize that this year’s Campaign goal presents a challenge,” Baker said. “But we are committed to provide substantial allocations to the United Way agencies.”

Baker has gathered a strong group of volunteers to help him manage this year’s Campaign. His committee members are Shirley Quetel Hendricks, Victor Chugani, William Lambert, Margaret Sprauve, M.D., Marcia Resnick, Joan Pilgrim Dawson, Margaret Moore, Cherri Carty, Carole DeSenne, Averricia Williams, and Marion Esannason. Each committee member will target their efforts and the efforts of their volunteers to specific segments of the community. Assisting the committee is Raymond Szymanski, chair of United Way’s leadership giving group, The Pacesetters.

The 2004 Campaign will run from October 1, 2003 to January 31, 2004. The monies raised will support the following local, human service agencies: American Red Cross, V.I. Council of Boy Scouts of America, 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, 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, V.I. Institute for Teaching and Learning, the Yellow Cedar Group Home and the Venture Grant program.