Aroostook United Way tops fund-raising goal

PRESQUE ISLE — The United Way of Aroostook has exceeded its goal of raising $250,000, its director, Susanne Sandusky, announced Tuesday.

It marks for the first time that the organziation has reached the quarter of a million dollar level.

Almost 30 Aroostook agencies benefit from the United Way campaign. This year, the chairman of the campaign was Lynn Lombard of Caribou.

This year’s pledges totaled $251,398.55. Last year’s campaign netted $241,974.55.

Increased giving can be attributed to first-time contributions of the employees at the newly opened military Defense Finance and Accounting Service at Loring Commerce Centre. Additional funds were raised through several special United Way projects, such as the junior miss and little miss Presque Isle pageants, a golf tournament and a telethon.