Marian Goheen was critical to early success of United Fund in Orleans County

Editor:

We read with interest the recent article celebrating the 60th anniversary of the United Way of Orleans County and was bothered by a glaring omission. Our mom, Marian Goheen was an integral part of the beginnings of the United Fund of Orleans County.

Van Hungerford may have been the idea man but our mom was the hands and feet of the organization from the beginning, having the title of Executive Director from 1966 to the time of her death in 1982.

The  Fund was originally designed to eliminate canvassing for funds from all different groups and worthy causes. At first those organizations were nationally recognized – Red Cross, Cancer Society, Boy Scouts of America, to name a few.

The United Fund provided a single campaign soliciting funds for all of these other groups that used to individually knock at your door.  We think our mom would be extremely proud of how the United Way has progressed to a point where they are now supporting so many  smaller, local groups and organizations to the benefit of the whole county.

Thank you for indulging us in remembering our mother and, as the Hungerford boys mentioned, she was to us what their father was to them, an incredible role model and inspiration.

Mary Goheen Zangerle

Michael Goheen

Mark Goheen

Medina