The Bryan County United Way rallied for support Thursday morning at GAMCO in Durant.

Employees at GAMCO, located at One Gamco Place, had the second-highest donations last year. GAMCO, which produces stainless steel washroom accessories, was acquired by the company Bobrick in 2006. With matching funds from Bobrick, GAMCO raised $21,551 for the Bryan County UW.

Ray Black, manufacturing manager at Bobrick’s headquarters in north Hollywood, Calif., said that Bobrick will continue to match employees’ UW donations dollar for dollar, even though “this is the worst financial year Bobrick has had.”

“Now’s the time that it’s needed the most,” Black said about UW donations.

Black, a Tulsa-native who has been with Bobrick since Dec. 1, 1976, told GAMCO employees that a UW rally was held at Bobrick the week he began working at the company. He said the rally encouraged him to contribute to his community through donations.

Bobrick began 100 years ago as a soap dispenser company and now makes all types of washroom equipment. Black said he joined the company 33 years ago, beginning as buyer and making his way up to manufacturing manager.

Dean Pollock, UW board chair, told GAMCO employees a similar story.

Pollock, who is OG&E’s community affairs manager in Durant and southern Oklahoma, said he began at OG&E 30 years ago. When he started working at the company’s Muskogee branch (at the age of 20 or 21), he was given an ID card and a UW pledge card.

Pollock missed the UW rally that had taken place, so he asked his boss about the pledge card. His boss told him about the UW and encouraged him to be a part of the fundraising efforts.

He encouraged GAMCO employees to visit with representatives from the different UW agencies who were present at the rally.

“We appreciate your time and donations,” he said.

Pam Robinson, Bryan County UW director, said local businesses and individuals donated a total of $113,000 last year. The goal for 2010 is $150,000.

“The need is $150,000,” Robinson said, adding that donations have been slow but encouraging and no donation is too small.

One man donated $1 to UW, Robinson said, and he will receive a thank-you note.

In 2008, the local UW served more than 187,000 people, Robinson said, and 150,000 have already been served this year.

Representatives from three new agencies that are being supported by UW funds for 2010 spoke to the employees, encouraging them to support the local UW.

“I don’t do this. I unload food,” Marilyn Hitchcock, director of St. Catherine’s Food Bank, said during her presentation.

The food bank, now located on N. 1015 First Avenue, opened in 1995 on East Main Street. It provides free meals to families who meet the Oklahoma guidelines for receiving USDA commodities. No one is turned away.

She said the food bank has fed as many as 180 and 230 families — approximately 600 people and 200 children.

The food bank also supplies five to 10 dry goods per bag, ideally consisting of soap, carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables and snacks.

The ministry is open every second, third and fourth Thursday morning of the month from 9-11:30 a.m.

The UW is supplying funds for toiletries, Robinson said.

Theresa Laborico, program director for Sheltered Work Opportunities, thanked GAMCO employees for being very helpful in the past.

Sheltered Work Opportunities, located at 3324 Enterprise Blvd., provides gainful employment and vocational training to developmentally disabled citizens of Bryan County.

Vocational opportunities include assembly, custodial and clean up, imprinting, packaging, precision decal application, shredding, sorting, stuffing envelopes, collating and folding.

The organization, which has been active since 1978, also provides social and recreational activities.

Robinson said the employees at Sheltered Work Opportunities love their jobs so much that they often don’t want to take their vacation time.

The third new agency that will be funded by UW is the Bryan County Girl Scouts.

Bryan County Girl Scouts teaches girls (grades K-12) self confidence and leadership skills that they can use throughout their lives.

The Magnolia Service Unit in Bryan County, which is part of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma, is receiving funding from the Bryan County United Way for the program “Powered Up.”

“Powered Up” helps girls and adults recognize bullying behavior and provides information on how they can step in and effectively help.

Nikki Wolf, membership executive for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma, said “Powered Up” will be solely funded by the United Way.

The program will be offered for girls in the fourth and fifth grade at Caddo schools, beginning in January. Wolf hopes to extend the program to other schools in the Bryan County, as well.

Norita Walker, executive director of the Crisis Control Center, was also present at the rally.

Roumany Samhakson, GAMCO manufacturing and service manager, challenged the employees to come out on top in donations in 2010.

The Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma had the top donations last year, he said.

“We hope to be No. 1 next year,” he said, adding that the company always tries to be the best.

Samhakson said he considers GAMCO to be among the fortunate because the company has not experienced any job losses.

“The United Way bridges the gap so people who need help can get it,” he said. “You never know when you’ll be on the other side ... Please consider giving at this point and time.”