TAMAQUA - The Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center is a Schuylkill United Way member agency that counsels victims of sexual violence.
Stephanie Barron of SARCC showed a video of some of the victims the center has counseled during the 2013 Tamaqua Area Campaign kickoff luncheon Friday at DiMaggio's La Dolce Casa Restaurant.
Kelly Malone, executive director of the Schuylkill United Way, said the theme of the 2013 campaign is "United We Make A Difference."
Barron said the video showed how SARCC makes a difference.
"This video has some of the victims who were brave enough to come forward to talk about victimization, how it has affected them and how the services of SARCC supported them to help them come to that (point)," Barron said.
She told the 50 people in attendance that sexual assault is more common than they think.
"We reach anyone who's ever had sexual violence touch them," Barron said. "Sexual assault touches everyone. If you think you don't know someone who has experienced sexual violence, you are wrong."
Barron said most of the center's victims are children.
"We see men, women and children," she said. "We see a wide range of ages. One in three women will be sexually assaulted before they're 18, and one in four boys. Last year, we saw 544 clients, the large majority (being) children, the large majority (being) under 10. It's an epidemic. As a community we need to solve that."
Kris Verba, chairman of the overall Schuylkill County campaign, said the goal of the 2013 campaign is $1,002,013.
The county campaign has already raised $313,059, which is approximately 31 percent of the total goal. Jay Jones and Bob Weaver, co-chairs of the Pacesetters Club, reported that $167,049 was pledged by its 159 members.
The Tamaqua Area goal is $102,013. Attorney Jeff Bowe is the Tamaqua campaign chairman and Brian Connelly is the vice chairman. Bowe said $61,277, or approximately 60 percent of the goal, already has been raised.
Bowe said he didn't realize what United Way meant until he became chairman.
"I gave money because I thought it was important, but I didn't know what I was giving money to," Bowe said. "I didn't think about the United Way any differently than when I was giving to other charities. I didn't realize what the United Way in Schuylkill County did. That was the greatest gift that I've been given."
More than 80 percent of what is raised is allocated to the 15 partner agencies that offer a wide variety of programs and services and solely serve residents of Schuylkill County.
"What we give here doesn't go someplace else in Pennsylvania, the country or another country," Bowe said. "It stays right here in Schuylkill County. I didn't know of any other organization that works that way."
Bowe said he learned what United Way stands for when he visited some of the agencies.
"When you see what these organizations are doing for us, for people less fortunate than we are, and how much they depend on what the Schuylkill United Way gives them, that really puts things in perspective. That is truly what it's all about," he said.
"Even if times are tough, even if it is harder for all of us to put our hand in our pocket to give, that's all the more reason why you have to do it."
The 2013 campaign video also was shown during the luncheon. It highlights the difference that the Schuylkill United Way and its agencies have made in the lives of people when life hands them difficulties with a "when life gives you lemons"-themed story.
Throughout the campaign, the Schuylkill United Way staff and volunteers will be giving employee presentations to local businesses. For more information on an employee presentation, call the United Way office at 570-622-6421.
Campaign donors are eligible for prizes based on the amount of their contribution. Winners will be drawn at the Appreciation Breakfast to be held at 8 a.m. Nov. 16 at Penn State Schuylkill.
This year's grand prize is a brand-new 2013 Ford Fiesta valued at $17,000 courtesy of Sands Ford/Suzuki, Pottsville. Other participating dealers include J. Bertolet Volkswagen, Freedom Toyota, Rinaldi Family Dealership, Bob Weaver GM Chrysler, and Williamson, Friedberg and Jones LLC.
Half a dozen other prizes valued at between $500 and $2,500 also will be awarded.
For more information, visit www.schuylkillunitedway.org.