DID YOU KNOW?


Dr. Peter Gott offers sound medical answers to reader questions in the new Lifestyles section...

   Is eyelid twitching caused by meds?
   Phone calls are a doc's responsibility
   Alcoholism may be cause of fiance's problems

PLATTSBURGH — A few weeks ago, the United Way expected a shortfall for its 2010 campaign.

But the organization closed the distance and exceeded its goal, raising $740,700.

"We had a tremendous campaign team," said United Way Executive Director John Bernardi. "It was truly a team effort."

That's good news for the region's health and human-service organizations, which count on the funds to provide vital services to people in Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties.

"The needs are so great," Bernardi said at a press conference Friday. "It is a wonderful time to be able to deliver that."

CHALLENGING YEAR
United Way set its 2010 campaign goal at $700,000. The organization's mission is to "be a leader in community partnership building and to increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another."

"We found it to be quite a challenging year," Bernardi said.

New York state is struggling with a hefty deficit while the nation pushes through a historic recession. Plus, the North Country suffered its own unique hardships with the announced closure of local Pfizer facilities and other layoffs.

"But we certainly experienced our share of people stepping up to the plate, and we were able to close the distance and exceed it significantly," Bernardi said.

TEAM EFFORT
The 2010 campaign was conducted primarily during the fall months, concluding in January. The total of $740,700 includes proceeds from special events.

"It was a great team effort with campaign team volunteers, United Way staff and employee campaign representatives, but most of all, it was the generosity of businesses, organizations and individuals that made it successful," said Jamie Basiliere, executive director of the Child Care Coordinating Council and campaign chair.

Last year's applications for funding exceeded $1 million.

"We anticipate the needs to be great," Bernardi said.

ABOUT 80,000 HELPS
Funds are allocated to a wide variety of health and human-services organizations and cover youth development, senior services, counseling, emergency food and shelter and more.

"Our network is extensive and diverse," Bernardi said. "Services range from young children to end-of-life services and everything in between. A lot of these services wouldn't be able to exist without this."

Groups within the network provided services to roughly 80,000 people in the region last year.

A committee of community members reviews request for undesignated funds and makes a recommendation to the Board of Directors. Grants are distributed based upon prioritized community needs throughout the region.

"All the funds stay local and go toward supporting critical services for our friends and neighbors here in the North Country," said Sue LeBlanc, relationship associate at KeyBank and president of the United Way Board of Directors.

Next year's campaign goal should be finalized by May, based on the economy, size of the area workforce and more. Kirk Stallsmith, general manager of Georgia Pacific and vice chair of this year's drive, will chair the 2011 campaign.

"We will not lower our goal," Bernardi said. "I anticipate raising the goal next year.

E-mail Stephen Bartlett at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com