United Way merger yields strong showing

By CHRIS BROWN / Journal Staff Writer

CHARLES TOWN — A year into its formation as an organization that now covers all three counties of the Eastern Panhandle, the United Way has exceeded expectations set for a recent fundraising campaign, agency officials said Monday.

The United Way of the Eastern Panhandle, which was formed by a merger of the Jefferson County agency with the United Way of Berkeley and Morgan County, raised more than $1.4 million over the past year, according to Teresa McCabe, United Way of the Eastern Panhandle president.

“We much exceeded expectations by basically 106 percent of the goal,” said McCabe, who credited campaign organizers in Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties with making the fundraising effort a success.

Jan Callen, the organization’s executive director, said when the United Way of Berkeley and Morgan County decided to merge with the organization’s Jefferson County branch, both boards agreed the benefits outweighed the costs. The result was an organization with greater capacity to aid the residents of the Eastern Panhandle.

“Do no harm was the guidance for both boards,” he said.

Tracey Eberling, of Steptoe and Johnson PLLC, who is the president elect of the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle, coordinated the campaign in Berkeley County.

Eberling thanked community members and volunteers, without whom the campaign would have been a failure, she said.

“There are a lot of people to thank,” she said.

Shepherd University basketball coach Ken Tyler called the United Way his “full-time job.” Tyler, who is the organization’s vice president, chaired the campaign in Jefferson County and was known to give stirring pep talks, according to McCabe.

“When you talk about the United Way, you’re making an investment in our community,” Tyler said.

Tom Rokisky, president of CNB Financial Services, headed up efforts in Morgan County.

Rokisky said he was proud of Morgan County, which has generated $400,000 to date for the United Way. He also thanked the business community for their investment in the United Way.

“I’m very proud to be a part of the United Way,” he said.

Although the campaign is officially closed this year, McCabe said the new fiscal year does not begin until July, and fundraising campaigns will not begin again until the fall. She was optimistic that the organization could still raise more money before the new fiscal year.

“That $1.4 million could still grow,” she said.