United Way of the Capital Region raised $8,901,683, surpassing its goal of $8.71 million to benefit the community. United Way made the announcement at its recent Celebration Reception held at Hershey's Chocolate World. The Hershey Company served as the lead sponsor. Additional sponsors included Delta Dental of Pennsylvania, JP Lilley, McNees Wallace & Nurick, Pennsylvania American Water, UPMC Central PA, and Weis Markets.

United Way of the Capital Region seeks to foster independence through access to health care, resources that meet basic needs, school readiness initiatives, and workforce development programs.

At the event, Dr. Nirmal Joshi, president and founder of the Joshi Health Clinic, spoke about United Way's Contact to Care initiative and the lifesaving work taking place at free health clinics in the region. Contact to Care aims to increase access to health care by helping people navigate the health care system and find primary medical care. This work includes helping support five free health clinics, such as the Joshi Health Clinic.

In addition, United Way acknowledged the support of the Pillar Society, which consists of organizations contributing $100,000 or more. This year, the Pillar Society made up 48% of the campaign.

Among the Pillar Society organizations recorded as of May 7, the entities donating at least $100,000 are Alexander Building Construction Co., Country Meadows Retirement Communities, Deloitte Consulting, the Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Foundation, Gannett Fleming, Hersha Group, the Hershey Company, McNees Wallace & Nurick, Novitas Solutions Inc., Penn National Insurance, Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine, State Employee Combined Appeal, and UPMC Central PA. Organizations donating at least $500,000 were Capital Blue Cross and Highmark Blue Shield.

At the Celebration Reception, the winners of this year's campaign giveaway drawing were announced. Donors who gave $182 or more to United Way's campaign were eligible to win one of four prizes: a 2024 Kia Forte LXS, donated by Turner Automotive; a travel gift certificate with a one-year free AAA membership courtesy of AAA Central Penn; groceries from Weis Markets; and a Visa gift card courtesy of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Mechanicsburg.

For more information on United Way of the Capital Region, visit http://www.uwcr.org or call 717-732-0700.