TILLAMOOK, Ore., March 28, 2008 – The Tillamook County United Way (TCUW) announced its campaign totals for 2007 at its annual meeting March 12 at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church.

It was announced that about $72,000 was raised during this year’s fundraising campaign, which was received from private donors, local companies that held internal campaigns and from the state’s campaign. “There was about $8,000 more from outside donors that hadn’t previously donated,” explained Lisa Phipps, United Way vice president. “It was a good campaign and I think we’re really setting the stage for next year’s campaign.”

United Way also received an additional $6,000 from outside the county that was earmarked to be used specifically for flood relief resulting from the December 2007 storm. “It was a good job by all, the board and agencies. You efforts this year made a big difference” said Shawn Reiersgaard, United Way president.

Two awards, Campaigner of the Year and the Carl Benscheidt Award, were also presented at United Way’s annual meeting. Each year someone involved in the campaign is selected as the Campaigner of the Year. This year, the award went to Jon Carnahan, president of Tillamook Bay Community College and a TCUW board member. Jon established TCUW’s new loaned executive program and provided the first volunteer participant.

The Carl Benscheidt award was presented to a board member, agency member or citizen-at-large who was particularly involved in the campaign. This year’s honoree was Lisa Phipps, whose commitment, hard work and timeless energy led the board to even higher efforts and results.

The final order of business was re-electing current board members, new board members and the slate of officers. Re-elected board members included Chandra Allen, Nancy Emerson, Mark Labhart, Kathleen Marvin, Chris McClure and Lisa Phipps. Newly elected board members included Steve Hungerford, owner of the Headlight Herald, and Larry Davy, president and CEO of Tillamook County General Hospital. Finally, the slate of officers was unanimously approved. The 2008 Tillamook County United Way officers are Lisa Phipps, president; Kathleen Marvin, vice president; John Sandusky, secretary; and Marilyn Phegley, treasurer.

The meeting closed with the presentation of the allocation checks to the member agencies, and the agencies in attendance giving a brief recap of their year and how the donations were used.

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Since it was incorporated on June 28, 1976, the Tillamook County United Way has been a group of neighbors helping neighbors. It is a nearly all volunteer-run organization and is governed by a local, all volunteer board of directors. The Tillamook County United Way has 18 member agencies. For more information about the Tillamook County United Way, please visit www.tillamookcountyunitedway.org.