Agency celebrates 75th anniversary

The roots of United Way of Blair County go back to 1934, when four local men saw neighbors in need and formed the Altoona Community Chest to make a difference.

Seventy-five years later, the mission of the organization founded by R.E. Laramy, Charles M. Cohn, Samuel H. Jubelirer and Charles McVey, which evolved into United Way of Blair County, remains the same.

"United Way is an organization that promotes a positive community," said Robin Beck, Chief Professional Officer. "We focus on the building blocks for a good life - health, education and income and economic conditions make our ongoing commitment to meeting emergency needs more important than ever."

Paula Farabaugh of FirstEnergy, also a United Way board member, past president and past campaign chairwoman, said the mission of United Way is "to unite people to care for one another."

United Way of Blair County assists about 60 organizations in Blair County and provides about 25 with community impact grants, Beck said. This year's campaign goal is $600,000.

Blair Senior Services Inc. and the Southern Alleghenies Chapter of the American Red Cross are among the organizations helped by United Way.

United Way has provided Blair Senior Services with annual funding of between $25,000 and $50,000 for its home delivered meals program.

"In the terms of meals, that is between 9,400 to 18,750 meals a year. That is a significant number of meals," said Steve Williamson, president. "Without their help, we would really struggle."

The American Red Cross' disaster program has been a recipient of United Way contributions.

"They assist us with the shelter, food and clothing for disaster victims in Blair County. They have been an absolute godsend," said Jane Gable, executive director of the Southern Alleghenies Chapter of the American Red Cross.

United Way of Blair County is more than just a fundraising organization. Farabaugh said community outreach is an important part of the group.

"There has been a transition to funding social service agencies. Day of Caring and the postal food collection were the first efforts to do community interaction," Beck said. "We also ring the bells for the Salvation Army and we helped paint the Roaring Spring library."

Beck said it has become more difficult to raise money in recent years as some businesses have closed or left the area.

"What is important is the bulk of the funding comes from workplace campaigns, corporate and individual donations," Farabaugh said. "We wouldn't be able to do what we do without the individual contributions."

Beck is optimistic the campaign goal will be achieved. She said the amount raised so far is $250,000, but pledges from a lot of the big companies have not come in yet. She noted that of the ones received, the vast majority have modest increases.

The nearly 900 community volunteers are the key to success for United Way.

"We believe in the power of volunteers. We have wonderful community leaders who step up. Volunteers help us with campaigns - that is one of the secrets why we have lasted through the years," Beck said. "We are encouraging people to volunteer and become more involved in the community and by doing this, we can make a big difference."

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at

946-7467.