LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / January 28, 2000

DESTREHAN – It wasn’t quite the $1.2 million they shot for, but United Way ofSt. Charles Parish officials were pleased with the $1,135,880 achieved.A celebration was held Thursday at the Destrehan Plantation Mule Barn, where presentations were made and campaign chairman Ron Loving was honored for his efforts.

To reach this milestone, which executive director George Williamson said was “the greatest amount of money ever raised in the history of United Way of St. Charles,” organizers called on their team of fund-raisers in business,professionals, major industry, education and other local sources.

“We’re going to be able to support all the agencies at the levels we hoped to support them,” Loving said.

Pledges came from: $1 million from employee contributions; $45,500 from special events including the Run/Walk and the golf tournament; $21,200 from employees who participate in the Combined Federal Campaign; $56,000 from companies and employees located outside the parish who live in St.

Charles and forward their contributions, and $205,000 from employees working in the parish but living outside the parish.

The funds will be distributed throughout the year to 35 agencies and programs. Emergency service programs get 23 percent, counseling servicesget 23 percent, health and rehabilitation services get 27 percent, youth services get 11 percent, senior services get 9 percent and education/recreation services get 7 percent.

Campaign Team Leader was Ron Loving of Oxychem, assisted by industry chairman Larry Palme (who becomes next year’s campaign chairman) of Montell Polyolefins.

Orion Refining Corp. was honored for having the largest percentage totalincrease at one site, with 327.23 percent. Companies which doubled lastyear’s contributions were Montell Polyolefins, Orion, Stone & Webster, J.M.Tull Metals Co., Mimosa Park and R.J. Vial elementary schools, and ZachryConstruction, which tripled its contribution.

Awards were presented to those companies whose employees, per capita, gave greater than $100 or had total employee contributions of more than $75,000 – Carter Chambers LLC, CXY Chemicals USA Inc., Cytec Industries,Waterford 3, Equilon Pipeline Company, IMC/Agrico, Kellogg Brown & Root, Monsanto Company, Montell Polyolefins, OxyChem, Union Carbide/Cypress and Union Carbide/Star.

Cytec and Carter Chambers were also recognized for having the highest per- capita employee giving, with Cytec at $164.17 and Carter Chambers at$253.16 with 54 employees.The campaign committee also included Regina Benoit, education; Bobby Bordelon, small business; Ricky Bosco, small business; Mike Brown, small business; Fay Caire, retirees and government; Maggie Castille, plant contractors; Jeanne Dazet, small business; Jerry Desselle, hospital and doctors; Brandt Dufrene, financial institutions; Emile Garlepied, small business; Clyde Gisclair, landowners; Pete Harmon, small business; Vici Hebert, bridge run; Greg Miller, lawyers; Charles Oubre, clerk of court; Larry Owens, plant contractors; V.J. St. Pierre, small business; Margaret Swann,judges; Billy Thigpen, golf tournament; Herb Thurber, chain businesses; Dudley Webre, small businesses, and Patrick Yoes, sheriff’s office.

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