United Way celebrates dedicated supporters

By JILLIAN KESNER / Journal Staff Writer

SHEPHERDSTOWN — United Way of the Eastern Panhandle held its second annual recognition breakfast at the Clarion in Shepherdstown Monday.

This year’s Volunteer of the Year from Berkeley County was presented to Pat McMillian in recognition of her communitywide perspective; Jefferson County Volunteer of the Year went to Susan Walter for her work to ensure that United Way funds are achieving the greatest impact in the community and Ed Duncan was named Volunteer of the Year for Morgan County for his support of the health and human service community.

Charles Town Races and Slots received the award for being the business or organization with the highest level of giving. A third-time recipient, the racetrack gave a total of $55,000 this year.

The agency honored the Bank of Charles Town with its silver award for the second year in a row as a result of its campaign total of $37,000, while the bronze award went to Quad/Graphics for its campaign total of $36,000.

Ecolab received the platinum award with a 200-percent increase toward the Eastern Panhandle Combined Federal Campaign, triple what it raised last year.

Other recipients for the greatest campaign increase were Farmers and Mechanics Insurance with a 113-percent increase, Jackson and Kelly law firm with a 75-percent increase and Jefferson Distributing with a 32-percent increase.

The top three campaign division teams with the greatest campaign increase from 2006 to 2007 were also recognized. These teams were campaign volunteers who work on a particular segment of the campaign.

First place with a 156-percent increase was the real estate division team, consisting of Chip Hensell, Peter Corum, Linda Sager and Paula Miller. Second place with a 48-percent increase went to the food and lodging division team of Kim McGarrah and Stefani Pierson, and third place went to the insurance division team of Jerry Arndt and Tom Jones with a 13-percent increase.

Outgoing board members include Jerry Arndt, Rod Frye, Chip Hensell, John Skinner and Charles Trump. Incoming members include Al Britton, Kathryn Boylan, Montie Hicks, Keith Unger and David Welch.

This year’s incoming officers are Ken Tyler, president; Ken Barton, president-elect; John Reisenweber, vice president; Rob Abruzzino, treasurer and Alice Barkus, secretary.

Total distributions for the next 12 months totals over $1.3 million, a record for United Way. This is a 28 percent increase and is $305,000 more than last year.

The Lt. Gen. William John Van Ryzin Award, given to honor outstanding achievement on behalf of the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle, was awarded to Sandy Sponaugle.

Sponaugle has worked in every facet of United Way operations, officials said, and was described Monday as a selfless and untiring volunteer.

United Way also gave out the Marvin J. Yurish Spirit Award to Kathy Boylan for her aid in the organization’s transformation into a community impact mission.

Boylan was recognized for her communitywide, regional and statewide perspective and for working to solve the problems of West Virginians.

Outgoing President Tracey Eberling was recognized for her work in leading the newly formed United Way of the Eastern Panhandle.

Jan Callen, executive director, said the event was a great capstone to mark the end of a record breaking year.

“The event is a time to thank the many donors as well as all the volunteers that support United Way in our community impact mission,” Callen said.


— Staff Writer Jillian E. Kesner can be reached at (304) 263-8931 ext. 215 or jkesner@journal-news.net