United Way honors longtime president

The United Way of Buffalo and Erie County dedicated a newly constructed memorial plaza on its Delaware Avenue grounds in memory of William J. McFarland, the organization's president from 1963 to 1985.

Mr. McFarland, who was a Williamsville resident, passed away in September 2006.

"Bill was a humanitarian in the truest sense of the word," Arlene Kaukus, United Way president, said. "Our organization would not be what it is today without his influence. He will be missed ... we are so fortunate to have his memory abiding with us each and every day."

After working at Catholic Charities

early in his career, Mr. Mc- Farland's long relationship with United Way began in 1959 when he came to work at the United Fund. Even then, his influence reached all facets of the organization - from campaign to budget to agency relations. His ability to bring diverse functions and people together for a common goal led to his selection as president of the fund in 1963.

Always seeking to do the most good for the most people, in 1973 Mr. McFarland led the merger of the United Fund and the United Health Foundation, and under his leadership the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County was born. The new organization brought donors, providers and service recipients together to work toward a stronger community.

Throughout his tenure, Mr. Mc- Farland never lost sight of the fact that leadership and service are inseparable. In 1983, he led the development of the Health Care Project for the Unemployed at United Way to aid thousands who weren't working and without health care.

The Bill McFarland Memorial Plaza was made possible through a memorial grant from the James H. Cummings Foundation, as well as memorial donations from 26 private donors.