United Givers

50th Anniversary – United Givers Plan of Packanack Lake
United Givers Plan (UGP) of Packanack Lake is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year.

UGP has been a rich tradition and a source of pride to the Packanack Lake community throughout the past 50 years and is an important source of support for many non-profit community organizations. In 2009 UGP assisted 25 local organizations. These include Youth Programs, Community Services organizations and Family and Children’s Services agencies in Packanack Lake, Wayne and  throughout Passaic County. This all volunteer organization has raised $1.5 million for local charities over the past  50 years.

Due to the challenge of getting door to door volunteers, solicitations are now made by mail. To offset the decrease in contributions since the door to door program was discontinued, the organization is implementing new ways to get its message to potential donors. On-line information is now posted on the Packanack Lake web site. Additional reminder signage has been posted around the Lake and more first- hand information is being publicized about the 25 agencies which UGP serves.

UGP divides the Calendar year into two phases, the first six months are the Planning phase and the second six months is the Campaign phase.  October is UGP month when all 1800 families within the PLCA boundary are contacted by letter. A second mailing is sent to non-responders as a reminder.

Board members are now visiting the agencies we support.  Recently the distribution of funds is being done on a more formal basis and depends on the criteria that have been established by the Board. Local organizations with no major internal support mechanism receive the highest preference in funding.

Monthly updates to the community are published each month in the Pack-a-News. If you can help us in any way, please feel free to contact the Clubhouse at 973-696-3524, UGP Board Members or the current Chairman, Paul Oesterle at ugp@packanacklake.com.