For the second year in a row, the John E. Morgan Foundation will match all new dollars donated to the Schuylkill United Way Pacesetters Club during the 2013 campaign, according to a release.
New Pacesetters who join will have their donation matched while current club members who increase their donation over last year will have their increase matched via the $50,000 matching grant.
"We are pleased to partner with the Schuylkill United Way to assist the community here in Schuylkill County," Jim Zigmant, president and chairman of the John E. Morgan Foundation, said. "We strive to participate in numerous nonprofit organizations, whether financially or through volunteering. Needless to say, we are proud to enhance the Schuylkill United Way Pacesetters program."
The Pacesetters Club gives United Way a head start to its annual campaign, which begins each September. The club is divided into six divisions according to the amount of the donation and includes only individual contributions.
Divisions are: Copper, $500 to $749; Bronze, $750 to $999; Silver, $1,000 to $1,499; Gold, $1,500 to $1,999; Diamond, $2,000 to $2,499 and Platinum, $2,500-plus.
The club began in 1994 and the Pacesetters alone have since raised more than $3 million to help support each of the 15 United Way partner agencies that offer their programs and services for little to no cost.
Pacesetters Co-Chairman Jay Jones said the club set a record last year with 384 members who combined to donate $334,325, about 33 percent of the 2012 Schuylkill United Way Campaign total of $1,063,000.
The club also had 99 new pacesetters last year.
"Our Pacesetters have been an important part of our campaign each and every year," Jones said. "They are a very generous and loyal group of individuals who we know we can count on to make the campaign a success every year."
Co-Chairman Bob Weaver said the John E. Morgan grant could have a positive influence on the Pacesetters donations this year.
"Our Pacesetters are outstanding community members," Weaver said. "Their generosity helps us to reach our goal each year and now with the continued help of the John E. Morgan Foundation, we hope to keep setting the pace for the campaign."
The Schuylkill United Way's goal for the 2013 campaign has been set at $1,002,013.
The 2013 "United To Make A Difference" Campaign kicks off at 8 a.m. Sept. 7 at Penn State Schuylkill and at noon Sept. 21 at Dimaggio's La Dolce Casa, Tamaqua. The campaign traditionally runs through November.
For additional information, contact the Schuylkill United Way at 570-622-6421 or online at www.schuylkillunitedway.org.
