On an autumn night more than 85 years ago, the wheels of a Scranton-bound train carried its passengers home from a Kiwanis Convention in Harrisburg.

But the wheels were turning inside the old locomotive as well as the preliminary plans for what would ultimately become the Community Chest, precursor to the United Way, began to take hold. In fact, Congressman Charles R. Connell, one of the Convention’s Scranton delegates, went so far as to say that if the Kiwanis Club successfully inaugurated the Chest movement, he would personally donate $7,500---an impressive and generous sum, even by today’s standards, but truly unprecedented eight and one-half decades ago.

The initial committee included Ralph A. Amerman, Congressman Connell, EJ Lynett, WJ Pattison and EH Beavers. It was November of 1921 when the first Community Chest Campaign canvassed this community to raise more than $500,000 for numerous organizations and programs to help those most in need.

Whether as the Community Chest, Lackawanna United Fund or United Way, this community has a long tradition of rising to the challenge and supporting our efforts in truly tremendous ways.

Much has changed over the past 85 years, but much remains the same. The United Way remains committed to its dual role as a grassroots community problem-solver and fundraiser.