CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands, April 19, 2007 – The United Way of St. Thomas-St. John membership met on March 30, 2007 at the Yacht Haven Grande to learn of the organization’s accomplishments in 2006-07 and plan for the United Way’s new year.

Alicia Boatwright, Co-Chair of the 2007 Campaign, announced that the annual fundraising drive closed at $649,000 with pledges still coming in. She said that “in light of the many challenges faced by volunteers, this was a remarkable campaign.”

Highlights of the 2007 Campaign included:

Three new schools were added to the “50 Plus Club” and recognized at the annual meeting. These schools were Yvonne Milliner-Bowsky Elementary, E. Benjamin Oliver Elementary and Ulla Muller Elementary. The “Top Ten” supporters of the 2007 Campaign are Banco Popular, Bank of Nova Scotia, Caribbean Auto Mart, Dudley, Topper and Feuerzeig, LLP, FirstBank, Innovative Companies, International Capital and Management Company, MSI Building Supplies, V.I. Water & Power Authority, and West Indian Company.

“A new era is about to start, a new President and a new Executive Director and hopefully a new direction in fundraising and focus for our United Way in the community,” said Adosha L. Francis, outgoing President of United Way St. Thomas-St. John after she thanked everyone for all that they contributed during her tenure. Approximately $533,000 will be available for distribution to programs that help individuals succeed, build self-sufficiency, maximize independence, and provide crisis intervention.

Incoming President Cheryl George-Chance in her remarks stated “In today’s world, we continually experience events and challenges that are beyond the scope of any one person, organization, corporation or government to address.” She further expressed, “It is my hope that United Way of St. Thomas-St. John will continue to be in the forefront in fostering community partnerships and collaborations with other non-profits, education, government, business, and faith based organizations to build long-lasting solutions.” George-Chance is the Office Manager for Redhead Management, Inc. and a private business management consultant.

The remaining three new officers elected for this year are Vice President Kim Moholland, owner operator of Bay Painters, Treasurer Adosha L. Francis, certified public accountant/owner A.L. Francis and Associates; Secretary Tamara Parson Smalls, attorney with the Internal Revenue Service.

Elected to serve three years as members of the United Way of St. Thomas-St. John board of directors were: Claudette Georges, Senior Grants Analyst with the Office of Management and Budget; Mary Gleason, Hospitality Consulting Services; Barbara Lawrence, retired from 35 years of teaching; Merle Kiture Morgan, retired from 30 years in the banking industry; Sinclair Wilkinson, adjunct instructor at University of the Virgin Islands; and Moleto Smith, Jr., Department of Human Services.

Every dollar raised by the United Way of St. Thomas-St. John 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, Dial-A-Ride St. John, Dial-A-Ride St. Thomas, Ebenezer Gardens, Habitat for Humanity, 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.