For the City-Times

The United Way of Portage County will celebrate the end of the 2013 campaign at its annual Victory Celebration Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn & Conference Center in Stevens Point. Members of the community are invited to attend the event, which does not require pre-registration.

During the event, representatives from Meals on Wheels and Rural Delivered Meals – two United Way partner programs – will share stories about how United Way funding helps them provide services to their clients. Those representatives will also unveil campaign totals.

New this year, United Way of Portage County will give away a 2014 vehicle donated by Scaffidi Motors. Event emcee Chuck Nason will bring the three finalists on stage during a “game show”-like presentation, with one of them walking away with his or her choice of a 2014 Hyundai Sonata, Volkswagen Jetta, or Ford Fusion. Automatic entry into the DRIVE UNITED Sweepstakes went to 2013 donors of $52 or more whose 2012 gift was less than $52 AND to 2013 donors who increased this year’s gift by $26 over their 2012 gift of $52 or more.

Sue Wilcox, United Way of Portage County Director Executive Director, said the DRIVE UNITED Sweepstakes and the GIVE & GET UNITED Coupon Book incentive have created an excitement about this year’s campaign that has led to many people donating to United Way for the first time. “We’re thrilled so many new people have gotten aboard this year, as they are learning how their gift will help our 34 partner programs improve the community they live in,” said Wilcox.

She pointed out Ministry Health Care has had a record campaign this year. Fifty-one percent of Ministry employees in Portage County gave gifts to United Way – nearly double the number of donors from their 2012 campaign – raising more than $126,000. “We’re seeing great results like this with many of the workforce campaigns,” said Wilcox. “People are understanding what it means to ‘LIVE UNITED’.”

This year’s Campaign Drive Chair Family – Erin and Ryan Andrews, and their children, Josh, Riley, and Ellie – will be on hand at the Victory Celebration to talk about their experience leading the campaign and to introduce next year’s chairs, John and Dori Jury. In addition, United Way of Portage County Executive Director Sue Wilcox and Stevens Society Co-Chairs Marg Coker-Nelson and Tina Peters will thank the many people and businesses who helped make this year’s campaign a success.

United Way of Portage County’s mission is to bring people and resources together to achieve measurable results that improve people’s lives and strengthen the community. It does so by focusing on the building blocks for a better life – education, income, health, and community basics. To learn more, visit www.unitedwaypoco.org.