St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – On Saturday, October 4, United Way of St. Thomas-St. John paid tribute to over 400 individuals, businesses, and private and public entities for their contributions to and volunteer support of the United Way 2002-2003 fundraising campaign.

Speaking before a large crowd at the Ritz Carlton St. Thomas, past campaign chair Steve Jones, praised the outstanding efforts of the volunteers and the generosity of the Virgin Islands community which demonstrated that “working together all things are possible.”

Two companies were named the Corporate Supporters of the Year for their contributions of $10,000 or more to the United Way. They are the West Indian Company, and Dudley, Topper and Feuerzeig, LLP. Outstanding Corporate Support awards for gifts between $5,000 and $9,999 went to five companies. Receiving these honors were the First Bank, the Bank of Nova Scotia, Sea Chest, Caneel Bay Resort, and Topa Properties. The top three companies receiving Gold Awards for gifts between $1,000 and $4,999 were Antilles Gas Corporation, Banco Popular and A.H. Riise Gift Shop. Mr. Jones highlighted the significance of employee campaigns to the United Way, stating that over 47% of the campaign total came from employee campaigns. Twenty employee groups were recognized as Gold Award winners because their per capita gift amounted to $100 or more. They are Margate Management, LP, Atlantic Tele-Network, Sea Chest, Dudley, Topper and Feuerzeig, LLP, MSI Building Supplies, Tom Bolt & Associates, Seslia Securities, United Parcel Service, Dial-A-Ride St. Thomas, Innovative Cable TV, ICC, Theodore Tunick & Co., Austin Advertising, ADT Security Systems, V.I. Territorial Public Defenders, Dudley, Clark & Chan, V.I. Office of Management & Budget, V.I. Council, Boy Scouts of America, Texaco Caribbean, Inc., and Globalvest Management Company.

The Volunteer of the Year award was given to Andrea Martin for 21 years of exceptional service to the United Way. Awards were also given to S. L. Caesar for his leadership role as the 2002 United Way president and Steve Jones for his outstanding efforts as the 2002-2003 campaign chair.