By Staff
NILES – The United Way of Greater Niles announced that the teachers and staff of the Niles Community Schools have pledged $16,132 for this year's charity fundraising drive – up 85 percent from last year's total of $8,692.
Also pledging by employees of the Brandywine Community Schools was up 28 percent from a year ago to $2.429.
"This is certainly welcome news as we try to reach our community-wide goal of $250,000," said executive director John Stauffer. "We still have a long way to go to reach that goal but when we do, the Plym Foundation has promised to award a $5,000 challenge grant."
Also, the students at Ring Lardner Middle School recently donated $1,000 that was raised through a school dance. "We have some very special young people in our community that should be very proud of their contributions to support our local United Way charities," said Stauffer.
Those in the community who have not yet a made pledge are encouraged to do so. Pledges made now may be paid during the next year.
Donations or pledges may be sent to the United Way of Greater Niles at P.O. Box 375, Niles, MI 49120 or made by Visa or MasterCard online at www.unitedewayniles.org.
More than $11 million has been raised for local charities by the United Way of Greater Niles since its founding in 1953. More than 11,000 people in the local area receive services from a United Way agency each year.