Local officials are touting success, as the initial Port Allegany Campaign for United Way surpassed its monetary goal, raising $17,860.

“When the transition to the Bradford office managing the solicitation efforts for the Port Allegany area occurred (in April, 2016), I emphasized our intentions to work diligently to ensure that the long-standing generosity of the residents and businesses could continue to make an impact,” said Mandi Wilton Davis, United Way executive director. “The donors have shown how important this is to them by way of their continued support of our efforts, and for that I’m very grateful.”

United Way board member and Port Allegany representative Gwen Rush said she, too, is appreciative of the response given to the change.

“I’m very pleased with how the community came together. Thank you to those who chose to make a contribution; our achievement in not only reaching — but surpassing — the monetary goal shows that we can continue to create opportunities for a better tomorrow.”

Rush and her fellow board members have taken time to enjoy this first campaign, but will begin work on the 2017 efforts in the near future.

“I know with some additional work we can secure more business and individual contributions to make next year’s campaign a bigger success,” she said.

Applications for funding from the Port Allegany Campaign are due March 1. Non-profit health and human service organizations providing programming to the Port Allegany area are eligible to apply. Those applications are available on the United Way’s website, or by contacting Wilton Davis at the Bradford office.

For more information on the Port Allegany Campaign for United Way, or to make a contribution, visit the websitewww.uwbanews.org/portallegany or call the United Way office at 814-368-6181.