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Unity in the community

Do you remember the character of Mary Katherine Gallagher who appeared on “Saturday Night Live” in the late 1990s?

Laurel McDowell does.

The manager of the local Manpower office offered her memories of assuming the persona made famous by Molly Shannon while speaking at Thursday’s annual campaign report dinner of the United Way of Jefferson County.

McDowell’s appearance as the manic Catholic school girl came during a Halloween party held as a fundraiser for the United Way many years ago at the old Rose on Lovers Lane. She was among several longtime volunteers who reminisced about their work with and for the United Way as part of the recognition event held in Hellenic Hall at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.

The moderator for the segment was Suzanne Kresser, a former executive director. It served as a way to share a few laughs and show the continuing commitment area residents have to the United Way and the agencies it serves.

Among those also taking part were Jodi Scheetz, director of the A.L.I.V.E. shelter, who talked about the work done with the annual Day of Caring; longtime board members Tom Timmons and Carrol Bonar; and Laura Meeks, the longtime president of Eastern Gateway Community College who will retire at the end of the current academic year and who has a long history of supporting the United Way.

It was a way to demonstrate the unity in the community that is part of the United Way’s work, as current Executive Director Beth Rupert-Warren pointed out while reminding supporters that we are part of a “community that cares about one another.”

This year’s campaign raised $395,000, which was short of the goal of $440,000. While that was disappointing, officials were quick to say their work will continue.

“Remember that every dollar you give goes to help an area agency,” board President Anthony Mougianis said. “Members of our community always give from the heart.”

That money really does go to help local people – officials with the United Way offered the reminder that more than 96 percent of the total contributions stays in Jefferson County.

“It’s an example of people helping people,” Mayor Domenick Mucci said.

That’s an important reminder as efforts begin on the United Way’s next campaign.

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Another example of people coming together to improve the region was on display Wednesday in the Totino Room of St. Joseph’s Center on the campus of the Franciscan University of Steubenville.

That’s where the second Faith in the Future Luncheon was held. The monthly meetings, an offshoot of the yearly Faith in the Future Prayer Breakfast, are an opportunity for area residents to eat a light lunch, enjoy a period of fellowship and discuss the role prayer can play in economic development.

Thomas “Bo” Graham, a professor at the university and a Jefferson County commissioner, was the speaker Wednesday. His talk centered on the role faith has played in the United States dating back to the Founding Fathers.

He said the Founders thought prayer needed to be an important component as the United States moved forward, pointing out that it was felt a collective conscience and a unity of beliefs were needed to bind the country together.

Graham told those in attendance that in the years since the breakfasts started, Jefferson County has experienced growth at the industrial park, a 14 percent increase in tax collections and several building projects, including the university’s planned expansion on the Green Strip that runs along University Boulevard – work which will officially get under way with a groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

According to Tracy McManamon, president of Faith in the Future, the luncheons are scheduled to be held on the last Wednesday of each month in the St. Joseph’s Center. Organizers have pointed out that the Faith in the Future program is open to and encourages participation from people of all denominations and faiths. No one is charged to attend – all that is asked is a donation to help cover the costs of future luncheons.

Anyone who’s interested in attending can call McManamon at (740) 282-1132.

(Gallabrese, a resident of Steubenville, is executive editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times.)

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