United Way of Eastern Maine changes annual campaign kickoff to community response rally

BANGOR – Given Tuesday’s tragic events at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania, representatives of the United Way of Eastern Maine have changed today’s 2001 fund-raising campaign kickoff to a community response rally.

United Way of Eastern Maine wants to use the gathering, which begins at 11:45 a.m. at Bass Park, as an opportunity for everyone in the region to come together as one community, Executive Director Jeff Wahlstrom said Wednesday. He said that decision was made by the organization’s board of directors during a meeting Wednesday morning.

The annual campaign kickoff typically brings about 1,000 United Way contributors and volunteers to Bass Park, but Wahlstrom said United Way officials hope to double that today.

“We’re encouraging people to bring their friends, neighbors and co-workers along,” he said.

During the event, participants will take time to remember the victims of Tuesday’s attacks and rally support for the community and the nation. Participants are encouraged to bring nonperishable food for the United Way’s food drive, as well as American flags. The rally will take place rain or shine.

The United Way’s mission is to help people in the community care for one another by supporting collaborative initiatives, volunteerism and health and human service programs.

Last year, United Way of Eastern Maine raised nearly $2.5 million to support its 75 partner organizations in Penobscot, Hancock, Piscataquis, Waldo and Washington counties.

People who cannot read, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, the homeless and the dying, victims of rape and domestic abuse, at-risk teenagers and children and adults with a range of disabilities are among the 100,000 in the United Way of Eastern Maine’s five-county service area who benefit each year from the contributions donors make at their workplaces and individually.

The United Way also sponsors infoLine, a social services referral hot line, which can be reached at (800) 204-2803 or 973-6815; Keeping Kids On Track, a community effort aimed at improving the future of adolescents aged 10 to 14; volunteers, including members of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program; and a gifts-in-kind clearinghouse.

For information on the United Way and its programs, call 941-2800 or log onto its Web site at www.unitedwayem.org.