$1.5 MILLION RAISED FOR NONPROFIT AGENCIES.

Byline: Peggy Hager Staff Writer

LANCASTER - More than $1.5 million has been raised for United Way by Antelope Valley companies and volunteers - donations that will help fund some three dozen local nonprofit agencies.

``I'm just thrilled that we made that goal and that this community came together with all the individuals and all the companies that helped make it happen,'' said Ann Aldrich, volunteer campaign chairman.

This year's official total was $1,520,364, compared with $1.3 million raised last year.

Volunteers and major donors gathered recently for a luncheon recognizing their efforts.

``There has never been a question about the cooperation of the whole valley,'' said Marguerite Rowell, who joined the United Way Corporate Board in 1963 - one of the original members.

During the luncheon, the Rite Aid Southwest Customer Support Center was honored for Best New Campaign, raising $10,088 its first year in the program. CEO Rod Brown and Human Resources Director Keith Dransfield accepted the honors on behalf of the company's 900 employees.

The city of Lancaster won the Leadership Giving Campaign, with more than eight donors giving $1,000 or more annually. Mark Bozigian was the campaign volunteer leader this year and accepted the award.

Nancy LaMoureaux of U.S. Borax was recognized as Employee Campaign Coordinator of the Year, and the company also earned the prestigious Best Overall Campaign for the Community award.

United Way also provided special honors to organizations where all employees donated to the campaign. They are: Dillard's, El Nido Family Services, Mental Health Association and Wal-Mart Palmdale.

United Way volunteers presented two awards for Dynamic Campaign Growth: Antelope Valley College for a 62 percent increase in giving, from $3,990 in 2000 to $10,450 in 2001; and Dillard's for a 68 percent increase, from $3,326 to $11,349.

Other companies with 20 percent or more increases in their campaigns include: Wal-Mart Lancaster, Wilsona School District, Westside Union School District, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc., Muroc Unified School District, Children's Bureau and Best Buy.

Additionally, the Combined Federal Campaign, which conducts a campaign among government and civil service workers, raised $480,000 of the total campaign.

Many donors gave to this year's campaign during the 12-hour Adelphia United Way Telethon, held on April 21, which raised $55,000.

The United Way of Greater Los Angeles set a $65 million goal to serve Los Angeles County.

United Way of Greater Los Angeles is the largest private funder of health and human service charities in Los Angeles County with the unique ability to evaluate and address the full range of community needs, trends and demographics. The Antelope Valley region serves the largest geographic area in the Greater Los Angeles area, and supports more than 30 nonprofit organizations.

One of their new programs they are starting with a $600,000 grant from the Housing and Urban Development department is the Homeless Solutions program which will be operating out of Grace Resources new building on Sierra Highway in Lancaster. Scheduled to open recently, it will be a new start for many homeless people.

The Antelope Valley United Way is now looking to start a family homeless shelter. Currently, only two homeless families can be accommodated.

On Tuesday, the Antelope Valley United Way board will vote to appoint Capt. Tom Piggott of the Lancaster sheriff's station as next year's United Way volunteer campaign chairman.

As a member of the sheriff's department and a resident of the Antelope Valley, he said there is ``... a professional interest as well as a personal interest for me to help those in need in the valley. ... We're going to put forth a real effort. Ann Aldrich has the bar real high.''