United Way of Whatcom County Kicks off Fall Campaign

The United Way of Whatcom County kicked off its Fall 2011 campaign Sept. 8 with a sold-out luncheon and a message about the importance of education, income and health in our community, according to Tamara Tregoning, the group's communications manager.

She wrote that the event at Bellingham Cruise Terminal brought together 235 community members, partner agencies, and sponsors to celebrate the beginning of the campaign. They're raising money to support more than 40 programs that seek to eliminate hunger, provide access to medical needs, build skills for maintaining stable income, reduce domestic abuse, provide constructive outlets for teens, and much more.

The event was made possible by contributions from Anvil Corp, ConocoPhillips, IBEW Local 191, Portionables, Puget Sound Energy, US Bank The Unity Group, Windows on the Bay Events, Courtyard Gardens, and Lithtex NW.

Peter Theisen, United Way of Whatcom County president, thanked the crowd for raising $2 million last year. Bellingham School District Superintendent Greg Baker gave the keynote address, commending the group's focus on education and reminding the audience about the importance of investing in children.

The 2011 campaign will place extra emphasis on early childhood literacy as education.

"We are aware that literacy is the most important skill early on in life," Peter said. "That skill contributes to an individual's success in all aspects of life and helps make him or her a productive member of society."

The 2011 campaign effort is made possible by local sponsors that contributed $90,000 to ensure more of the dollars raised will be spent on programs. Sponsors include BP, Matrix Services Inc., Whatcom Educational Credit Union, Samson Rope, Banner Bank, PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, Boeing, Bellingham Cold Storage, Portionables, CH2MHill, ConocoPhillips and Puget Sound Energy.

United Way of Whatcom County board chairman Scott Corzine announced the 2011 goal is to raise $2.1 million to ensure basic needs are taken care of as well as fund new efforts to support early learning. If your organization would like to participate, call campaign director Richard Emerson at 360-733-8670.

JULIE SHIRLEY - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD