Newberry — For the first time ever, Newberry County has raised in excess of $300,000, representing a 20 percent increase over last year, for United Way of the Midlands. Since the beginning of this year the United Way of the Midlands Newberry Campaign team has been hard at work to generate financial support to increase student success, increase financial stability for families and improve health access in Newberry County.

Campaign co-chairs Glenda O’Brien of Kraft and Ron Vigus of Newberry County Hospital credit a strong local team and the responsiveness of local companies and their staff. Campaign results from Caterpillar, Newberry Hospital, Kraft and West Fraser Timber already have driven giving past the $265,000 goal.

“A local video featuring Boys and Girls Club member Wilyem Cain and testimonies from Kraft employees helped drive a 33 percent increase at the plant,” said campaign co-chair O’Brien. Kraft employees have contributed $200,000 to date.

In addition to ongoing support for home delivered meals, home health services and adult literacy services, United Way was instrumental in bringing after school programming to local schools and support for the Newberry Free Medical Clinic. In 2011 alone over 1,052 residents in Newberry County benefited from United Way partner agencies.

In addition to O’Brien and Vigus, the 2012 campaign team includes Pam Arrington of Newberry County Schools, Melody Harrison of West Fraser, Terrah Linden of Caterpillar, Greg Martin of Komatsu, Ted Smith of Newberry Chamber, and Joe Trainer of Stokes-Trainer Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC Buick.

A number of Newberry’s campaigns are still running. If you’d like to run an employee campaign, contact Phil Waddell at 803-533-3930 or pwaddell@uway.org.

About United Way of the Midlands

United Way of the Midlands is the most organized, efficient and accountable system for investing in the community. With more than 85 certified partner agencies, United Way works to identify and respond to the critical human service needs of Calhoun, Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg and Richland counties. Funds are raised through workplace campaigns, grant writing and individual donations. For more information, please visit www.uway.org.