CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands, April 3 – The 2005-2006 United Way of St. Thomas-St. John Campaign raised over $753,000, announced Cheryl George-Chance, Campaign Co-Chair at United Way’s Annual Meeting held on March 31st at Mahogany Run Golf Course.

“Despite the many challenges, the fundraising success of United Way this year is the result of the hard work of outstanding volunteers who served on the United Way Campaign Cabinet and the exceptional level of participation at workplace campaigns,” said Raymond Szymanski, Campaign Co-Chair. Chance and Szymanski thanked division heads Alicia Boatwright, Ermin Boschulte, Vashi Dadlani, Richard Doumeng, Cecile de Jongh, Donna deJongh, Carole DeSenne, Jeri Flood, Lorraine Gumbs-Morton, Lorne Lans, Loretta Lloyd, and Sinclair Wilkinson.

Highlights of the campaign presented by the co-chairs included:

• Fourteen “50% Plus” organizations whose employees contributed 50% or more over last year: Golden Eagle Financial LLLP, TV2, V.I. Police Department, Territorial Public Defenders Office, Ritz Carlton St. Thomas, V.I. Territorial Emergency Management, Hodge & Francois, Lt. Governor’s Office, V.I. Housing Authority, Innovative Companies; and the staff and students of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, Edith Williams, Bertha C. Boschulte and Julius E. Sprauve Elementary Schools.
• Five organizations initiated United Way employee campaigns: The Bornn Firm, Sprint, Family Insurance Company, Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort and V.I. Waste Management Authority.
• Fifty-six individuals joined The Pacesetters (individuals contributing $500 or more) for a total membership of 228 individuals.

Outgoing President, Raymond Green, said that this accomplishment was a direct result of United Way’s highly-regarded reputation and its ability to bring together committed and caring members of our community to help the most needy. Mr. Green was honored for his leadership as board chairman and his six years of service to the organization.

President-Elect Adosha Francis laid out plans for 2006 and urged volunteers and donors to continue to help their neighbors or “give a lift” to others in need. Ms. Francis is a certified public accountant at Brennan, O’Connell, P.C. Other officers elected were: vice president Cheryl George-Chance, manager, Redhead Management, LLP; treasurer Gershwain Sprauve, Corporate Secretary, West Indian Company; and secretary Donna deJongh, architect and partner, The DeJongh Group.

Elected for three-year terms on the board were: Donna deJongh, Adosha Francis, Michelle Geary, Intellectual Property Analyst, International Capital & Management Co.; Dr. Rita Howard, Professor of Education, University of the Virgin Islands; Cheryl Charleswell, Banks and Insurance Examiner, Office of the Lt. Governor; Howard Hulsman, retired chairman, Ross Learning; Ariane Joseph-Lewis, vice president, FirstBank; William Lambert, president, Caribbean Auto Mart & Toyota; Beresford Lynch, vice president, Robert Lynch Trucking; Kim Moholland, owner, Bay Painters; Amalie Parrott-Rosado, vice president, PRM Caribbean; Tamarah Parson-Smalls, chief counsel, V.I. Bureau of Internal Revenue; Delia Smith, Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorneys Office and for a one-year term, Gershwain Sprauve.

Prior to the meeting the nearly 100 guests were treated to a putt-off contest hosted by Mahogany Run golf pro, Nevin Phillips and Ms. Virgin Islands Allison Bourne-Vanneck. United Way affiliate members representatives, introduced to the membership by leadership giving donors, reported on their services and success stories. United Way’s annual report was presented to the attendees which summarized United Way’s activities over the past year, as well as recognize its volunteers and donors. Copies of the annual report are available from the United Way office.

Every dollar raised by the United Way stays in the community to support the following 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, Legal Services of the Virgin Islands, Lutheran Reformation Summer Program, St. Thomas Reformed Church Summer Program, V.I. Institute for Teaching and Learning, and the Yellow Cedar Group Home.