PORT ANGELES — United Way staff on Thursday recognized the volunteers and contributors who have raised $788,469 in the agency’s 2002 funding campaign.
Officials expect more than $800,000 to be raised by the campaign’s March 31 conclusion.
The record-setting campaign year remains 2000, when $875,000 was raised.
Proceeds from the annual fund-raising drive are given to local health and human care agencies.
Approximately 35 percent of the donations are targeted by donors for specific agencies and programs. Remaining funds go to partner agencies, Healthy Communities Initiatives and United Way operations.
During Thursday’s awards dinner at the Port Angeles CrabHouse restaurant, 2002 campaign chairman Norm Schaaf paid special recognition to campaign leaders in each of the communities on the Peninsula: Pastor Charlie Mays in Port Angeles, Sue Ellen Riesau in Sequim, Bill Peach in Forks and Sande Balch in Clallam Bay.
Also recognized were: corporate gifts chairman Steve Zenovic, campaign coordinators chairwoman Kristin Glenn, Clallam County employees chairman Joe Ciarlo, Olympic club chairman Jim Cammack, combined federal campaign chairman Capt. Bill Peterson, CFC coordinator Cmdr. Del Witters, and Washington State combined employee campaign chairman Randy Ryan.
Organizations whose combined company and employee gifts ranked them as giving leaders were also recognized.
Olympic Medical Center, whose employees gave $46,357, led this group.
A few highlights
Schaaf said some of the highlights of this year’s fund-raising drive are:
* Kayla Avery-Oakes’ dance recital.
* Michael Luehrs sitting on the roof of the Red Lion Hotel for a week.
* U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Del Witters meeting with every federal agency in Clallam, Jefferson and Grays Harbor counties.
* Reel Life Productions making of a special 50th anniversary video for United Way of Clallam County.
Campaign and community members also said good-bye to United Way’s Healthy Communities Coordinator Judith Morris, who is leaving with her husband, former Olympic National Park Superintendent Dave Morris, to take a position with the Peace Corps in Zambia.
