Three team up to raise money for United Way

An Albany, N.Y., native, John Mickalonis moved to Aiken 20 years ago to become an engineer at the Savannah River National Laboratory.

He found the pace much slower and the people a lot friendlier. In recent years, Mickalonis has been giving back to the community through the United Way of Aiken County, working on the Savannah River Site campaign in behalf of the agency.

For the 2010 campaign, Mickalonis is serving as a loaned executive from SRNL and will work for United Way for nearly three months to help raise more than $2.46 million for its partner agencies.

"To me it's an extension of my faith to go out and help people in need," Mickalonis said.

The other loaned executives this year are Jennifer Shoup, an executive assistant at WSI/SRS, and Patrick Cunning, a teller at Security Federal Bank.

In past years United Way has had four loaned executives. However, this year's group is exceptional and will do great things this fall, said United Way President Sharon Rodgers and campaign Chair Barbara Smoak. They thanked the companies who sponsored the loaned executives.

"Their hearts are in the right place to do what's best for the community," Smoak said.

Cunning, an Aiken native, said he wanted to return home after finishing University of South Carolina.

"I didn't know a lot about the United Way before this week," he said. "But it's been an eye-opening experience to see how helpful and passionate the people are who work at these agencies. Helping Hands and Children's Place made a big impression on how they take care of kids."

Shoup grew up in the Valley area before graduating from Midland Valley High and going on to Aiken Technical College. She got involved with United Way three years ago after joining the staff at WSI/SRS, a longtime supporter of the organization.

She and her new friends visited several partner agencies over the past week, and Shoup, too, found it eye-opening. She plans to return to the Salvation Army's soup kitchen and volunteer after finishing her United Way assignment.

"I've had a passion for helping people," Shoup said. "But after seeing what I've seen this week, I feel I've been selfish and not really doing anything. People don't realize how many others are actually in need."

The United Way is effective in raising funds for its partner agencies, Mickalonis said. He was amazed that only 7 percent of the funds it raises goes to administrative costs, which is exceptionally efficient.

"I thought I knew a lot about United Way," Mickalonis said. "After the first day, I realize how little I really knew. I've seen the faces of people at ACTS who are down on their luck, and it's taken this to a more personal level for me."

The job of the loaned executives is to educate people about the United Way and all the agencies it serves, Cunning said. He acknowledged that times are tough throughout the county.