On Oct. 1, the United Way of St. Thomas-St. John will embark on its most ambitious campaign yet — to raise half a million dollars to support local human services agencies.
Averricia Williams, chief of staff to Sen. Roosevelt David, is chairing the 1999-2000 campaign. She served as campaign chair-elect last year.
The goal is $10,000 more than last year's. "We felt it would be an attainable amount that would meet the financial needs of our agencies," Williams said. She noted that United Way has already raised more than $500,000 in each of the last two campaigns, exceeding its goal both times.
The campaign will run through January 2000.
United Way beneficiary agencies for the coming year are the local American Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Catholic Charities, Civil Air Patrol, Downstreet People Youth in Action, Dial-A-Ride on St. Thomas and St. John, Ebenezer Gardens, Fair Haven Camp, Friends of Volunteers in the Public Schools, Girl Scouts, Legal Services, the Reformation Lutheran and St. Thomas Reformed Church Summer Programs, Shaky Acres and Victim Advocates.
Serving with Williams on the campaign committee are Dionne Carty, Shirley Q. Hendricks, Louis Hill, Corine Matthias and Widad Valme. Division heads are Kevin Bailey, Linda Benjamin, Magdalene Bryan, Elisa Hodge and Martin Relwani.
