April 1, 2009 – The United Way's annual meeting was held at Palms Court Harbourview Hotel on March 27, and chaired by the out-going president, Kim Moholland. United Way of St. Thomas-St. John's executive director, Cherise Creque Quain, expressed thanks and gratitude to the residents, businesses and generous donors with ties to the St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island communities for their continued support and help in raising funds, especially in these difficult economic times. Moleto Abram Smith Jr., the newly elected president of the board of directors, said, "United Way is all about engaging our residents, empowering our community through the organizations that we fund and enhancing the quality of life through positive community impact."
Currently, the 2009 fundraising campaign has received pledges at the 75 percent mark of its $800,000 goal. The campaign co-chairs are Penny Woods and Lori Dezendorf. Dezendorf stated that, "It's because of the hard and diligent work of the board, the staff, the campaign volunteers, and especially our division heads that we have had a successful campaign." She recognized and thanked the division heads: Vashi Dadlani, Claudette George, Glenda Lake, Hugh 'Pete' Mabe, Marian Mathes, Merle Kiture Morgan, Tamarah Parson-Smalls, Paul Devine, Shirley Sadler, Moleto Smith Jr. and Sinclair Wilkinson.
Organizations whose employees contributed 50 percent or more over last year include AT&T of the Virgin Islands, B&W Realty, Caravan Gallery, Cruz Bay Baptiste Church, Driscoll Construction, Federal Express, Forever Flowers, Joseph Sibilly Elementary School, Leeward Islands Management Company, Roy L. Schneider Regional Hospital and Medical Center, Spenceley Office Equipment, Stryker Duensing, Casner & Dollison, V.I. Office of Management and Budget, V.I. Planning and Natural Resources Department, V.I. Public Television System, and V.I. Territorial Emergency Management. Thirty-two individuals joined The Pacesetters (individuals contributing $500 or more) for a total membership of 403 individuals.
A special thank you to Caribbean Fun Stays, Biras Creek, West Indian Company, H. Stern, Bay Painters, Bluebeard's Castle Hotel, Best Western Emerald Beach Hotel, Carib Beach Hotel and Bolongo Bay Beach Resort for making the raffle a success. The raffle prizewinners are as follows: Mrs. Greaux (winning ticket B170), Lydia Farrington (B498), Thomas Boatwright (A756), Cathy Smith (B298), Myka' El Broomes (A628), Craig Kirchoff (A828), Patricia Chinnery (A907), Andrea Chance (A399), Mrs. Greaux (B177), Gwen Blake (A498), A.C. Burgess (B248) and Annette Hendrickson (A123).
Every dollar raised by the United Way stays in the community to support the following agencies: American Red Cross, V.I. Council of Boy Scouts of America, Catholic Charities of the V.I., Civil Air Patrol, Dial-A-Ride St. John, Dial-A-Ride St. Thomas, Ebenezer Gardens, Habitat for Humanity of the V.I., Legal Services of the V.I., Lutheran Reformation Summer Program, St. Andrews Sunny Saints Summer Program, St. Thomas Reformed Church Summer Program, Savan Boys Club, V.I. Institute for Teaching and Learning, and the Yellow Cedar Group Home.
