As April closed out the 2013 United Way of the Kenai Peninsula campaign executive director Lisa Roberts presented several appreciation plaques to major donors that helped the campaign be a success. “Tesoro’s golf tournament and employee giving plus the corporate match this year brought in over $150,000 for our 27 local service organizations and that was almost 25% of our goal this year,” reported Roberts. Then at last week’s joint Soldotna/Kenai Chamber of Commerce meeting Tim Redder and Melissa Galloway of Wells Fargo presented Roberts with a check from the Wells Fargo team for $7,500, “Wells Fargo highly encourages their team members to invest in their respective communities through volunteering in various non-profit entities and schools. Wells Fargo also encourages all of their team members to contribute to the UW campaigns and matches 50% of the total contributions. For the 2013 campaign, the Peninsula team members donated $15,000 with Wells Fargo matching $7500. Throughout the State, Wells Fargo had the largest donations to date totaling $404,000 and 10,250 volunteer hours,” said Business relationships manager Melissa Galloway.

“I am again amazed at the generosity of the Peninsula Communities! The 2013 campaign is over and I am pleased with the numbers although we still have money coming in and I don’t have a bottom line yet. I am thankful for all those who participated to making this year a success. The money raised for United Way goes to organizations that provide basic needs for people that need that little hand up to get back on their feet like food and utilities, it feeds and takes care of Seniors that can no longer do those things for themselves completely, helps people that have addictions get over those things that they can no longer control, it helps victims of domestic violence find security and safety, helps kids learn skills to become successful adults, helps people die with dignity and helped flood victims find temporary housing and in some cases new housing in the K Beach area. We have agencies all over the Peninsula that service needs great and small. I want to thank everyone that donated this year and thank a few special people that helped with the campaign. Tom Janz the Campaign coordinator and Becky Pitlo the bookkeeper have to be first on this list as they are really the backbone of the organization; they keep things flowing and keep me going. The choice of Gary Turner as Campaign Chair was great for my first year, he helped out so much and I can’t thank him enough for all that he does for United Way. All the people of the Campaign Cabinet without whom I would have been lost! My wonderful Board of Directors offers so much support and helped me through this first year so much! All those that participated in the Days of Caring, volunteers that help agencies get the work done around the buildings. Most important of all is the Allocations committees they are the ones that help decide how much of the undesignated funds each agency gets.

As we look to the 2014 campaign we have several events scheduled for this summer there are two golf tournaments in July, the Tesoro Golf Tournament is Friday July 18th. The Stanley Chrysler Tournament is Sunday July 27th. We also have our Fox Island Cruise planned for this fall. If anyone is interested in attending these events, having someone come talk to your business/employees or volunteering for any of the committees or other volunteer events please contact the office at (907) 283-9500 or email KPUW@ptialaska.net. Thanks Again for a very successful 2013 and I look forward to seeing you all again in 2014.”