PARIS – The United Way of Oxford County held its annual kickoff campaign with a breakfast Tuesday at the First Congregational Church.

Representatives from such major contributing businesses as Mead-Westvaco, Hannaford, Northeast Bank and Oxford Networks attended, along with representatives from programs supported by the United Way.

United Way Director Dennis Gray said the goal this year is to raise $220,000, mostly through payroll deductions.

For the past four years, Mead-WestVaco has given $50,000 annually to the United Way, which supports 22 social service agencies in Oxford County.

Gray said the agency continues to support pre-school programs such as Healthy Beginnings, a program coordinated by Community Concepts Inc. It also supports the Oxford County Preschool Enrichment Trust, administered by the Child Health Center.

New this year is United Way’s involvement in the Dollywood Foundation, a national program started by Dolly Parton, which makes books available to children.

Gray said if the agency can raise $20,000 for the program, it will be able to provide every child in Oxford County from birth to age 5 with a new hardcover book.

At the kickoff breakfast, distinguished service awards were given to retiring board members Chris Miller, Jim Stanicki and Dave Duguay.

The Outstanding Campaign Award went to Central Maine Power Co.’s Bridgton office. And Gloria Berry, who has logged more than 10,000 volunteer hours on the hotline run by the Rape Education and Crisis Hotline, was honored with the Dick Adams Volunteer Award.

Copy the Story Link