PARKERSBURG - About 50 local officials attended the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley's annual campaign kick-off breakfast Wednesday morning.
Dozens took in the full breakfast at the River City Tavern and Grill as executive director Joyce Mather announced a 2012-2013 campaign goal of $722,000. Incoming board president Dave Hines said the goal is $7,000 more than last year.
"We tried to keep it realistic," he said.
Article Photos
Dave Hines, incoming president of the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley board of directors, discusses the 2012-2013 fundraising goal Wednesday. The kickoff event, attended by about 50 people, was at the River City Tavern and Grill. (Photo by Jody Murphy)
In April, the United Way announced the campaign had exceeded its 2011-2012 goal of $715,000 by more $62,000.
Mather told members it's important to remember that what's given to the area, stays in the area. The United Way serves 10 counties in West Virginia and Ohio.
She said the local United Way's annual campaign is the single-largest campaign in the area.
"Everybody's financial support matters," she said.
Patrice Pooler, executive director of the Fellowship Home of the Mid-Ohio Valley, a group served by the United Way, also spoke at the kickoff.
A single mother of three, Pooler started by thanking other United Way-serviced entities, such as the Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA, Boy Scouts and the library, for providing services to her family.
"They were helping me before I was helping them," she said.
