The United Way of Skagit County announced the results of its 2008 Campaign at a luncheon held at McIntyre Hall on Thursday, January 22nd. Terry Belcoe, President and CEO of North Coast Credit Union and the 2008 United Way Campaign Chair, told more than 170 supporters that $ 956,454 was raised during the Campaign. This is a new record for the local United Way. Belcoe reminded the group that United Way funds are used for a Safety Net that helps local youth and community members in need of food, shelter and other essential services.
Greg Reed, CEO at United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley, who served as president of the United Way Board during 2008, told the group that United Way funds are needed more than ever before to help support youth programs and local people in need. Special recognition was given to fifteen Pacesetter organizations that had helped kick off the 2008 Campaign in September. More than $ 430,000 was raised by this “Pacesetter” group. Receiving commendation were Puget Sound Energy, Shell Puget Sound Refinery, Skagit State Bank, Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company and Concrete Nor’West.
Employee groups receiving commendation were from the Anacortes, Burlington-Edison, Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley School Districts, Catholic Community Services NW, Skagit County Government, , Skagit County Community Action Agency, Skagit Valley Hospital, United General Hospital and Whidbey Island Bank.
Also recognized for their outstanding support were The Boeing Company, the Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound, Costco-Burlington, PACCAR Technical Center and United Steel Workers Local 12-591.
Dan Berentson, Communications Director for Skagit County Government, was elected president for 2009. County Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt was named Campaign Chair for the 2009 Campaign.
Ken Bergsma, Chief of Police for the City of Mount Vernon, was named Volunteer of the Year. Mark Eaton, Maintenance Planner for Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company, was honored with the Ted Reed trophy. Ted Reep was a Mount Vernon businessman who helped start the Skagit County United Way Chapter in 1963 and remained dedicated to the cause until the day he passed away in 1991. The Ted Reep award is the most prestigious award made by the United Way of Skagit County each year.
