United Way plans database forums: Project would unify aid to needy

Local News

Discussion

March 14, 2013

United Way plans database forums: Project would unify aid to needy

Dave Sutor dsutor@tribdem.com The Tribune-Democrat Thu Mar 14, 2013, 11:12 PM EDT

— Many local churches and nonprofit organizations provide similar charitable services to people in need during the holiday season.

Among those that participated in a recent United Way of the Laurel Highlands survey, the vast majority – 93 percent of 43 respondents – felt they could benefit from creation of an online central database that lists the names of families looking for help.

Because of the overwhelming support for the idea, the local United Way has decided to host two forums for interested organizations.

The first will take place Wednesday at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College’s Richland campus. A similar meeting will be held at Somerset Community Hospital on Thursday. Both are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and are open to the public.

“One of the main roles of our United Way in the community is to serve as a convener, bringing people and organizations together to identify needs, and then working together to seek solutions,” chapter President Bill McKinney said.

“We have arranged discussion forums in both Cambia and Somerset counties, for the convenience of the participants, which will result in a unified direction benefiting families who need assistance. All results and information will be shared with the community.”

If the database is created, needy families and individuals would be able to register. The secure information then would made be available to participating organizations that collect and distribute holiday-related items such as toys and food.

Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat print edition.

Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat e-edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Local News

Funeral plans set for Jackson Twp. firefighter
Funeral arrangements have been set for a Jackson Township firefighter killed in a tractor accident over the weekend.

June 17, 2013
New medical facility coming to Meyersdale
A new state-of-the-art building for primary care physicians and specialists is expected to be opened at Conemaugh Health System’s Meyersdale Medical Center by the fall of 2014.

June 18, 2013
Windber Medical Center goal: Stay independent
Hospital leaders knew there were those in the audience who expected to hear an announcement that Windber Medical Center would close or merge with a larger system.
“What you heard, I hope, was just the opposite,” Chairman David Klementic said after the hospital’s annual community meeting on Tuesday.

June 18, 2013 1 Photo
11th-hour pension reform push begins
The head of the union representing Pennsylvania public school teachers and Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget secretary are two of the speakers expected to testify today before a House panel examining pension reform.

June 18, 2013
Menoher project will create long detour
A well-traveled section of road connecting the city to Westmont will be closed for up to four months to correct frequent rock slide issues on the hillside above.

June 18, 2013 1 Photo
Thunderbash ready for large turnout
Motorcycle riders from across the country will invade Greenhouse Park this weekend for “Thunderbash.”
As many as 20,000 bikers are expected Thursday through Sunday to coincide with Thunder in the Valley in Johnstown.

June 18, 2013
Windber resident faces trial in Richland beating
A Windber man will stand trial on charges that he beat another man after a night of drinking, then left him along a Richland Township road.

June 18, 2013
Paint Twp. recalling chief, other workers
Paint Township plans to bring the last of its laid-off workers, including the township police chief, back to work July 1.

June 18, 2013
DEP awards grant for water extension
The water line that the Portage Water Authority is preparing to extend to Twin Lakes and Sportsman Road residents will be less of a burden on the borough’s finances, after a pass-through grant was awarded from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

June 18, 2013
Chest Township reviews road bids
At a special Monday night meeting of the Chest Township supervisors, officials re-examined bids that were accepted on June 5.

June 18, 2013
More Local News Headlines

Do you think Edward Snowden, the American who claims to have given documents about classified phone records to journalists, should be:

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

United Way plans database forums: Project would unify aid to needy

Do you think Edward Snowden, the American who claims to have given documents about classified phone records to journalists, should be:

Contact Us