LEWISTON – United Way of Androscoggin County has announced that Jennifer Willey of Lewiston has been selected as the new chairwoman of the board of directors through June 2006. She and her husband are the owners of Canteen Service Co., a family business with branches in Saco, Bangor and Lewiston.

United Way Executive Director Joleen Bedard said, “We are very fortunate to have someone with Jennifer’s unique blend of experience, enthusiasm and commitment to our community and the mission of the United Way.”

Bedard said United Way is comprised of more than 30 participating agencies that serve more than 31,000 people from every town and city in Androscoggin County.

“Jennifer Willey has an outstanding record of accomplishment and commitment to United Way and our community. As our volunteer leader, she will ensure United Way continues our successful track record of fund-raising in order to increase our ability to address community needs that range from resources for children and families, keeping teens on track, crisis intervention, and elder independence,” said Bedard.

Last year the United Way raised more than $1.7 million. “The board and staff are very pleased to have someone of Jennifer’s caliber leading the organization,” Bedard said.

Willey has BS degree in nutrition from the University of Maine in Orono. Her recent volunteer activities include serving as a member of the board of United Way. She serves as a member of the state-appointed Commission to Study Obesity, is a volunteer on the Healthy Maine Partnership Vending Action Packet Committee and the Healthy Androscoggin Nutrition Committee.

She is also a volunteer for the SeniorsPlus grocery delivery program. Willey and her husband, Bud, reside in Lewiston with their three children, Nicole, Michael and Danielle.

Willey will begin her role as chairwoman as United Way is about to embark on a new initiative to show donors the measurable results that donations are having on people’s lives.

United Way understands that people have many choices regarding their charitable donations and want to be assured that their money is making a real difference.

One of Willey’s responsibilities will be to work with the community, the United Way board and staff to identify “impact areas.” The areas are priority needs in the community that will be targeted and tracked in order to demonstrate to donors that their funding continues to have a real impact on people’s lives and improving conditions in Androscoggin County.

United Way partners with the local social service agencies that have demonstrated the highest quality governing practices and business standards. The health and human service organizations undergo an evaluation and review process that is performed by trained volunteers.

For more information about the United Way or to find out how to become involved in helping the residents of Androscoggin County, call 795-4000 or visit the Web at www.unitedwayandro.org.


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