DANVILLE -- Meeting immediate needs of fire victims, helping kids who can't afford to join the community center and enabling families to afford child care are just a few of the needs met by people who contribute to the Danville Area United Way.

Twelve agencies supported by the United Way set up displays Wednesday during a community drop-in night so people could see how contributions help them. The United Way aids a total of 16 agencies.

This year's goal is the same as last year -- $330,000 -- "because of everything going on," said Executive Director Fran Moyer during the event in Danville's ballroom.

The theme of the campaign is "What Matters. Community Matters."

Danville Area Red Cross Executive Director Betsy Petersen said United Way money helped five families left homeless from a fire last Nov. 10 along East Market Street. "We were able to help meet their immediate needs such as finding shelter and providing them with clothing and groceries," she said. For some, the Red Cross was able to pay their first month's rent, "so they could get back on their feet," she said.

The Danville Area Community Center uses United Way money for sponsorships for kids and families who might not otherwise be able to belong, said Executive Director Jean Knouse. The center also uses some of the funds to help pay for swimming lessons, basketball and T-ball where sponsored members pay half the cost.

Each year, 325 people at the center benefit from United Way contributions including 250 children, 75 parents, some disabled people and other people who have lost their jobs, she said.

The Danville Area Child Development Center uses its United Way money for a partial scholarship program so families whose income may be a little too high but are still unable to pay for child care can afford to bring their kids to the center. They also use the money to help working families on their waiting list that is six to seven months' long. "We can offset their cost of day care so they can go to work," she said.

The center may be able to help six to 10 children, depending upon their age, through partial scholarships each year.

In speaking with Big Brothers Big Sisters representatives, Moyer said they are in dire need of Big Brothers and Big Sisters from Montour County. The agency covers Montour and Northumberland counties.

Other agencies that benefit from United Way contributions are 4-H Development, Central Susquehanna Sight Services, Columbia Montour Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA, Mental Health Association of Central Susquehanna Valley, Montour County Historical Society, Northern Montour Recreation, Suncom Industries, Sunnybrook Park Association, Salvation Army and Thomas Beaver Free Library.

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