Gateway phone-a-thon

The annual Gateway Services “phone-a-thon” has a heightened urgency about it this year. Chief Executive officer, Jeff Dean, told “The News Tribune” their goal during this fundraiser is 40-thousand dollars. Dean says the state provides ninety percent of “Gateway’s” funding…but Dean says state payments are being reduced. And, with the recession…expenses are going up and public contributions are down. Dean says “Gateway” , after all adjustments including “downsizing employees”, will likely be three hundred thousand dollars short compared to last year. Gateway Services provides transportation and other services to disabled citizens in the area.