Jordan Brown and three other volunteers provided inspiration Wednesday at the United Way of Lebanon County's first report meeting for the 2010 campaign.

Brown, an 11-year-old South Lebanon Township boy, is selling olive-green "Hang Tough" wristbands to raise money for a monument to be built in Normandy, France, to honor Maj. Dick Winters and all the men who served there on D-Day. Winters, who lives in Hershey, assumed command of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, shortly after parachuting into France in the early morning hours of D-Day, June 6, 1944. Easy Company fought across Europe and eventually captured Hitler's "Eagle's Nest."

Brown announced his effort has raised $20,000. Forlocations to buy a bracelet or for more information, visit the website

"In the worst of times you just hang tough, get through it," Brown told a lunchtime crowd at Salem Lutheran Church's Richwine Fellowship Hall.

Brown has also raised money for earthquake victims in Haiti (Hats for Haiti) and children battling cancer (Alex's Lemonade Stand).

"It's fun, helpful and makes a difference," he said of his efforts. "Volunteering is fun and it can change the world."

The crowd responded to the boy with a standing ovation.

A month into the campaign, the United Way has raised $380,207 toward its goal of $1.9 million.

Campaign chair Bob Hoffman said he believes the campaign is "on track."

"Many firms have not done their campaigns yet or are in the middle of their campaigns," Hoffman said.

One company that has had a successful effort is Supreme Mid-Atlantic, which has raised $12,895 toward its goal of $13,000, with the help of a hockey-themed rewards program.

Joining Brown in the volunteer spotlight Wednesday were Janelle Greenawalt of the City of Lebanon Authority; Bill Giovino, athletic director for the Lebanon School District; and Andrew Demler of Ebersole's Inc.

Demler said he volunteers because he "knows a lot of people who have had issues." Although his own family is "blessed" with good health and food, "I know people who don't have that."

Greenawalt volunteers with Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center and the United Way's Day of Caring.

Her daughter, Abigail, also helps out and told her mother "she volunteers because it's kind, and she likes to help people," Greenawalt said. "It's important to help people who don't have what you have."

During the United Way's kickoff breakfast last month, Giovino won a raffle for a jersey signed by one of his former football players, Jared Odrick of the Miami Dolphins. While vacationing in Florida this summer, Giovino had asked Odrick to sign the jersey. The original raffle raised $136 for the campaign; Giovino then re-raffled the jersey at Lebanon High School, raising another $200.

"I'm lucky to have the power of e-mail to reach a large amount of people," Giovino said.

United Way campaign results to date, by division (with goal in parentheses), are: Education, $559 (105,000); Manufacturing, $16,364 ($60,000); Commercial, $13,732 ($135,000); Professional, $11,860 ($65,000); Government, $11,382 ($115,000), Business and Industry, $13,209 ($145,000); Selected Groups, $221,000 ($575,000); Major Firms, $92,158 ($700,000).

The next report meeting is Nov. 17, when a collection of winter clothing will be taken for the United Way's Live Warm campaign that benefits needy county residents. About 50,000 people, or more than one in three county residents, receive some benefit from the United Way every year.