Reaching the one million mark will be the mission of United Way of Calvert County during the next two years. The money the organization hopes to raise will be used for those umbrella agencies focusing on improving the Calvert community’s education, income and health.
“All of the money stays right here in Calvert County,” said Kelly Chambers, the local United Way’s president and CEO, who confirmed the campaign’s objective is to raise $1 million by 2014.
The organization’s 2012 Campaign Kickoff and Awards Ceremony was held Thursday, Aug. 30 at the Rod ‘N’ Reel Restaurant in Chesapeake Beach.
Chambers reported the first of several fundraisers connected with the campaign—a golf tournament held at Twin Shields Golf Club in Dunkirk—raised $15,000.
“We feel like maybe we’re seeing the light and the end of the economic tunnel,” said Chambers, who reported the 2011 Campaign yielded an overall increase of three percent.
The Aug. 30 event included a keynote address from local business consultant and realtor Mike Benton, who chronicled his personal struggles on his road to success. “You’ve got to have a plan,” said Benton, who recalled at his lowest point in life he realized, “I need to focus on my economy, not the economy. If you don’t help yourself you can’t give to someone else.”
Benton, who is currently serving on the North Beach Town Council, stated the United Way’s three focus areas include the “five pillars” of his own life—spiritual, relationship, mental, health and wealth.
Businesses and entities supporting the local United Way during the 2011 Campaign were recognized with awards in three tiers—platinum, gold and silver. The platinum recipients were the employees of Bank of America, Calvert County Public Schools, Constellation Energy Nuclear Group Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Dominion Cove Point LNG and PNC Bank. The gold awards were given to Calvert County Government Employees and Pepco and employees.
There were 21 businesses and entities receiving silver awards.
Individual recognition was given to Kelly Arthur of Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomons, who was lauded for efforts leading to higher contributions to United Way by the lab’s employees. Kim Buskirk of Dominion, the United Way of Calvert County Board
