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Gill takes on new role with charity

The supervisor of elections leads the United Way campaign. The goal: $600,000.

By RAGHURAM VADAREVU
Published March 18, 2005

INVERNESS - As Citrus County's supervisor of elections, Susan Gill is no stranger to campaigns.

During election years, Gill spends much of her time trying to educate residents about the importance and proper way of voting. Now, with an election a year away, Gill has a little extra time and plans to spend it on a different type of campaign.

Gill was recently named chairwoman of the United Way of Citrus County's annual fundraising campaign. The announcement comes as the United Way closes its 2004 fundraising campaign, which netted $595,459, the agency reported.

The final tally represents 92 percent of the $650,000 goal the agency set for the 2004 campaign. The amount raised consists of $564,459 from donations and $31,000 from a golf tournament, said John Marmish, the agency's executive director.

Gill said Thursday that the agency's goal for the 2005 campaign will be $600,000.

"We hope to at least make it, if not exceed it," she said, adding that United Way is not waiting until the official fall start of the fundraising campaign to start its education campaign. "We're hoping to get an early start this year."

Gill said she hopes to educate residents about the agency's nearly two dozen member groups and increase awareness about the services they provide. Gill and the United Way leaders already have met to brainstorm ways to get the word out about the member agencies.

Among the ideas floated: using a videotape program featuring clients who have been helped by many of the member agencies.

United Way plans to air portions of the video on WYKE-Ch. 49, and play it to local civic groups and businesses, Gill said.

That way, she said, Citrus residents will be aware of the value that the social service agencies bring to the community, know where and whom the money they donate helps and be more likely to contribute.

"We have a very generous community that really wants to help people," Gill said. "And we have an obligation to tell them what we are doing and the programs that their donations are helping."

In the 2004 campaign, the largest contributors include Publix Supermarkets, Progress Energy, the Citrus County School Board and Winn-Dixie. Also contributing were Bank of America, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, churches and local businesses.

In addition to Gill's selection as the campaign chairwoman, the United Way also elected new officers.

Katie Lucas of Bay Area Air Conditioning in Crystal River is president; Laura Putzback of the Citrus County Chronicle is vice president; Connie Lobel of Regions Bank in Inverness is treasurer; and Phil Tompetrini of First Federal Savings Bank in Inverness is secretary, according to a United Way news release.

The agency will now convene and disburse the funds it has raised to the 23 local social service groups. The recipients are divided into four categories: children and youth; food, shelter and emergency needs; independence and wellness; and family support.

Raghuram Vadarevu can be reached at rvadarevu@sptimes.com or 564-3627.

[Last modified March 18, 2005, 00:42:17]