The mercury’s rising in United Way thermometers displayed around Lawrence County.

Friday, October 01, 1999

The mercury’s rising in United Way thermometers displayed around Lawrence County.

"We’re already at 22 percent or a little above our goal in Ohio," said Danne Dunworth-Steinberg, marketing director for United Way of the River Cities.

Under the direction of campaign chairman Tim Selb of Firstar bank, the Lawrence County volunteers have set a fund-raising goal of $150,000 to be raised by mid-November.

United Way officials installed thermometers throughout the Tri-State this week, including locations in Lawrence County – the courthouse in Ironton, Chesapeake town hall, Wendy’s in South Point and McDonald’s in Proctorville.

The familiar billboard-type signs keep track of money donated to the service organization’s many causes.

"It’s a great way to remind people, ‘Oh yeah, I need to do my pledge,’" Mrs. Dunworth-Steinberg said.

The thermometers also remind people that they’re a part of United Way’s causes, she said.

Charities benefiting from the United Way include everything from Special Olympics and Red Cross to food pantries.

"United Way helps our neighbors," Mrs. Dunworth-Steinberg said. "You should close your eyes and think of the people you love the most."

United Way agencies are there in crisis situations, when you need help the most, and touch practically everyone’s life, she said.

To help keep the donations flowing, and those services going, United Way volunteers seek donations from the public.

To raise the funds, the Lawrence County committee has set personal goals of contacting people who want to make a difference.

And with an active board calling on various business, school and government offices goals can be reached, Mrs. Dunworth-Steinberg said.

United Way also uses local loaned executives, who donate their business time to visit colleagues and seek donations.

The local United Way helps fund 39 local programs and services in the Tri-State, including American Red Cross Western West Virginia Chapter, Arthritis Foundation, Barnett Child Care Center Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tri-State, Brithright of Huntington, Boy Scouts (Simon Kenton Council and Tri-State Council), Boys and Girls Clubs of Huntington, Branches, C-K Community Center, Cabell-Huntington Coalition for the Homeless Inc., Cammack Children’s Center, Chesapeake Community Center, Children’s Place; Ironton City Welfare Mission, Developmental Therapy, Ebenezer Medical Outreach Inc., Family Service Inc., Girl Scouts (Wilderness Road Council and Black Diamond Council), Goodwill Industries, Huntington Area Food Bank, Huntington City Mission, Huntington Pediatric Clinic, Kiwanis Day Care Center, Renaissance Program of Prestera, J.W. Scott Community Center, Senior Citizens Inc., Special Olympics of Cabell County, Special Olympics of Lawrence County, Stella Fuller Settlement, TEAM for West Virginia Children, the Salvation Army, Tri-State Literacy Council, United Way of the River Cities Inc., United Health Foundation, Well Child Clinics of Lawrence County, the YMCA and the YWCA.