The United Way of St. Thomas-St. John held its Day of Caring and Campaign Kickoff on Saturday at Ebeneezer Gardens in Hospital Ground on St. Thomas.  Ebeneezer Gardens is a senior residential care facility operated by Luther Social Services.  Tom Bolt, Managing Attorney of Tom Bolt & Associates and President of Habitat for Humanity, led a group of Habitat volunteers that assisted in painting a mural at the senior facility.

Habitat for Humanity of the Virgin Islands has been designated as the newest United Way agency and has been allocated $50,000 by the United Way.  In making the allocation, United Way designated the funds to retain an Executive Director for Habitat.  At the Day of Caring, Bolt introduced Dianne Wells as Habitat’s new CEO.  She was previously the National Director for Habitat for Humanity of Trinidad and Tobago.  She will began work with Habitat in the Virgin Islands November 1st.

The Habitat volunteers were joined by Pamela Sullivan, Ms. Virgin Islands Senior America 2006, who is a noted artist in the Virgin Islands.  "We needed a ringer," Habitat President Bolt said.  Habitat is so lucky to have such a dedicated Board.  Board members Cecile de Jongh, Sharon Hupprich, Fred McCall, Michelle Smitherman and Tanya Van Blake Coleman all joined the volunteer effort to assist the Ebeneezer Gardens facility.

At the 2007 Campaign Kickoff, the United Way received pledges of $293,147 towards their $800,000 goal.  Tom Bolt & Associates, P.C. was recognized at the Campaign Kickoff as a Gold Award Winner and the employees of the law firm were recognized as Gold Award Winners for contributing a per capita gift in excess of $100 per employee. 

Managing Attorney Tom Bolt was also recognized as a member of the Pacesetters Club.  The United Way Pacesetters Club was organized to recognize the generosity and leadership of individuals would contribute up to $10,000 to the United Way’s annual fundraising drive.