CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands – December 22, 2006 – The United Way of St. Thomas-St. John extends warm holiday greetings to all. The 2007 fundraising campaign was launched on September 23rd with a goal of $800,000. United Way is pleased to report that as a result of the generosity of companies, employee groups and individuals the campaign has currently reached 50% of this goal! A special thank you from United Way and its 13 human service agencies goes out to the loyal donors who continue to give their support!

The St. Thomas community can track the progress of the 2007 campaign by viewing the United Way thermometer sign, located by the Fire Station adjacent to the Vendor’s Plaza. In the spirit of holiday giving this season, the United Way wants to remind past, loyal donors and invite new donors to commit to giving contributions and pledges now to help make more funds available to member agencies.

In recent years, as our community has undergone socioeconomic transition, the trend for donor giving has declined in proportion to declining dispensable household income. However, we should remember that when times are hard for us, it is always harder for the less fortunate, who have legitimate, critical needs. Greater need means, if we all contribute to United Way, we can make a bigger impact together. And since what you give stays in our community, your giving directly touches local areas of youth development, food and shelter, health crisis and intervention, accessible transportation, advocacy and legal services and summer youth programs.

Knowing that any decline in revenue would hurt the operating budget of United Way supported community organizations and agencies, United Way campaign volunteers consistently work hard to insure that the level of past funding is sustained. The United Way member agencies currently include: American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, Catholic Charities, Civil Air Patrol, Dial-A-Ride St. John, Dial-A-Ride St. Thomas, Ebenezer Gardens, Habitat for Humanity, Legal Services, Yellow Cedar Group Home, V.I. Institute for Teaching and Learning, Lutheran Reformation summer youth program, St. Thomas Reformed Church summer youth program.

The United Way theme, “Your Islands, Your Home, Your United Way,” reminds us to take pride in owning the role of sharing what we have and caring for the needs of others. This Holiday Season, for that person who has everything and you do not know what to get them, give a gift on their behalf to the United Way. Make your tax-deductible contribution or pledge to the United Way by calling the office at 774-3185 or online at www.unitedway.vi. Gifts may be mailed to the United Way of St. Thomas – St. John at Nisky Center, Suite 220, St. Thomas, USVI 00802.