St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, October 4, 2003 – The United Way of St. Thomas-St. John kicked off its 25th annual fundraising campaign on Saturday, October 4, at its 2004 Campaign Kickoff and Appreciation Breakfast held at The Ritz Carlton St. Thomas.

In welcoming the capacity crowd, Cornel Williams, president of the United Way board of directors said, “The board set this year’s goal at $800,000 not because it can be easily reached, but because the community needs that and more.”

In response, over 68 companies, organizations and individuals came forward to announce their donations, helping the United Way raise 35% of its $800,000 goal on the first day of the campaign.

Campaign Chairman Steve Baker praised the generosity of the campaign’s early supporters and thanked them for their confidence in the United Way. “We’re excited to get to work on this year’s campaign and we are off to a terrific start. We are encouraged by $282,300 in early pledges because it demonstrates people fully appreciate United Way’s role in addressing the needs of our community and are responding generously.”

Leading the group of kickoff donors were the first members of the newly-launched Alexis de Tocqueville Society, a United Way major giving program. Individuals who contribute at least $10,000 annually to the United Way, and who are recognized locally as well as nationally, are eligible to become members. Ira Lubert, Joe Papa and John Fries each pledged $20,000 and Hurdle (Trip) Lea, III pledged $10,000. The Society’s initial members are associates of Margate Management, LP; Lubert and Lea are co-chairs of the program.

The Prosser ICC Foundation followed with a maximum pledge of $20,000, matching the contributions of the Innovative companies 100%; West Indian Company with $15,000; the Bank of Nova Scotia with $8,000; FirstBank with a pledge of $7,000; Consolidated National Corp. with $5,850; and Ambassador and Mrs. Henry Kimelman, Dr. & Mrs. Al Heath and Randy Knight each pledging $5,000. Also making $5,000 pledges were A. H. Riise, Baker Magras & Associates, Caneel Bay, and Topa Properties.

Other early contributors were Andrea and Steve Martin with $4,000; Banco Popular de Puerto Rico with $4,000; Katherine Gibson with $3,000; and ADT Security Systems, Knight Quality Stations and Marriott Frenchman’s Reef with $3,000 each. Contributions of $2,500 each were pledged by Caribbean Auto Mart, Financial Trust, Rotary Club of St. Thomas II, and Theodore Tunick and Company. Also pledging $2,500 were Adriane Dudley, George Dudley and Susan Laura Lugo, and Henry and Penny Feuerzeig. Donations of $2,000 were made by John and Joan Amerling, Carole DeSenne, E. Jonathan Gjessing, Dr. Garfield Less, and Drs. Secundina Mercardo and Cosme Barretta. Businesses pledging $2,000 were Budget Rent-A-Car, Cigna HealthCare of P.R., Driehaus Capital Management, Globalvest Management, Guardian Insurance, Jewels/Colombian Emeralds, Starfish Market, Topa Insurance, V.I. Founders, V.I. Port Authority, the Westin Resort, and Zenith Development Corporation.

The remaining contributions included Scott and Judy Barber, Christine Lloyd, M.D., Helen & Dr. Lawrence Goldman, Kate N Design and Dr. & Mrs. George Rosenberg, each pledging $1,500; St. Thomas Dairies pledging $1,250; Captain Nautica pledging $1,000; and 20 contributors of $1,000 each – Pamela Berkowsky & Dr. Adam Shapiro, Attorney Jesse Bethel, Soren and Grace Blak, Drs. Sidney Comissiong & Ruth Watson, Ellen MacLean, Micol Morgan & Ishmael Meyers, Jr., Dr. Frank Odlum, Henry Wheatley, Albert & Lonnie Willis, Better Roads, Canada Life, Caribbean Cable and Telecommunications Association, Doctors Choice, Gallows Point Resort, MLC Management, Performance Construction, Stryker, Duensing, Casner & Dollison, Tom Bolt and Associates, United Health Care and the V.I. Urologic Center.

The balance of the kickoff contributions came from the United Way board of directors and staff members and anonymous donors.

In celebration of the organization’s 25th anniversary, a documentary chronicling the history of the United Way of St. Thomas-St. John was shown and Alton Adams, Jr., 1980-81 past president, was the guest speaker.

The monies raised by the campaign 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, and the Yellow Cedar Group Home. Funds raised will also support United Way’s Venture Grant program.