FARMINGTON — There’s great need being seen in applications for funding received by the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area this year.

While campaign contributions are still coming in, estimates of amounts remain about the same or slightly above last year, said Lisa Laflin, executive director.

So far, the United Way has raised about $340,000 to support programs in 2012 that improve health, strengthen children and families, respond to emergencies, meet basic human needs and increase independence and financial stability.

“Our ability to meet community needs through our funded programs is contingent on people continuing to give,” Laflin added.

The allocation process is about to begin for 18 applicants.

“We see the level of need and impact in the applications but it’s rewarding to know that these health and social services are in place in Franklin County,” she said. “We have the perspective to see what they have accomplished and how well. . . . It’s astounding.”

United Way partners “serve more than 11,500 meals through area food pantries or ones that helped 2,280 community members get their basic needs met for food, fuel and shelter,” said Volunteer Campaign Chair Thomas Saviello of Wilton.

“I found that nearly one third of Franklin County’s population, over 12,000, is touched by the United Way partners,” he said in a recent letter about his work on this year’s campaign.

In addition to visiting potential donors and workers Saviello spent time with the United Way partners while serving as a co-chair two years ago.

“As a volunteer, I began to really see how the money is used. This is not being frivolous, its about putting money where people really need it,” he said. “If people drank one less soda a week, donating $1 a week for a year, that $52 could provide 300 pounds of food for the local food bank.”

Along with meeting needs, these partners sometimes provide services that are priceless.

While delivering Meals on Wheels, Saviello said he saw residents whose only contact with another human during the day was the person delivering for Meals on Wheels.

He visited with Literacy Volunteer tutors who were teaching adults. Some wanted to read a book to their grandchildren, he said.

He visited Warming Centers and the Economic Ministry in Salem where people come on mission trips each summer to help local people and provide backpacks for area children which include a new pair of sneakers for each child.

“Those are the kinds of programs we’re supporting,” he said.

During this campaign, Saviello said potential donors seemed more aware of the issues that are out there in the community.

“People that are able to have stepped up,” he said of employee contributions at workplaces such as Verso in Jay from which he retired. “They came through and raised the bar. I’m proud of them.”

During the campaign, Saviello and Laflin visit businesses explaining the work done by United Way partners and soliciting campaign funds.

Thirty years ago, Saviello said he heard a similar presentation after starting work at International Paper. He said he listened, wrote a check, felt good about giving and went home as he did in subsequent years.

When he relied on the services of United Way partners while going through some personal issues more than 12 years ago, his perspective changed. Although he could afford those services, he wondered about the people who couldn’t and what would happen to them if the United Way was not there, he said.

He increased his donation and started volunteering, chairing campaigns and sharing what he had learned about the organizations supported by United Way, he said.

The 31st Annual Meeting and Campaign Celebration of the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area is set to take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 24 at LaFleur’s Restaurant in Jay.

A special Community Impact Award will be presented to Gordie and Trish Flint of Wilton who have dedicated many hours of service, Laflin said.

For more information or reservations, please contact Deborah Richards at 778-5048, or email [email protected].

[email protected]

Supporting Sponsor for Franklin Journal, Livermore Falls Advertiser, Rangeley Highlander and Rumford Falls Times.
Keeping communities informed by supporting local news. franklinsavings.bank