Press release from the United Way of Allen County:
United Way One-Quarter of the Way to Goal: 25% of $4.8 Million Goal Has Been Pledged
United Way of Allen County is just under 25 percent of the way to raising the dollars needed to help create long-lasting changes in the community. The 2009 Annual Campaign is in full swing, with many corporations and organizations in the middle of their fundraising drives. Individual donors, businesses and foundations have already committed a little more than $1.1 million dollars, which is slightly less than 25 percent of the money needed to meet the $4.8 million goal.
United Way board members and leadership givers have set the pace in the campaign to date. One hundred percent of United Way’s 36 board and emeritus board members have made a financial pledge and increased their giving by approximately 15 percent. Leadership givers, those who give more than $1,000 annually, have also stepped up early in order to get the campaign off to a strong start. To date, the average increase year-over-year from this leadership group has been more than ten percent.
“I am grateful that our board and leadership givers understand the importance of increasing support for United Way. Their efforts set a great example for others to follow,” said Ron Turpin, 2009 campaign chair and Lincoln Financial Group vice president.
Donations to United Way of Allen County support 64 local social service programs, everything from day care to health care, from counseling to scouting, and from literacy instruction to shelter for the homeless. The funds are allocated by volunteers who carefully examine each program and its results. Programs must fall into one of three United Way focus areas: Basic Needs, Family Stability and Success in School.
In addition to the annual campaign, United Way brings in grants and other restricted dollars to support a number of key community initiatives, including Learn United, which is a ten-year effort to ensure all local children can read at grade level by the third grade. Other initiatives include building a collaborative case management system for local non-profits, promoting diversity and inclusion, and educating residents about financial management.
“This year we are asking local residents to make a donation and LIVE UNITED,” said Jerry Peterson, president and CEO of United Way of Allen County. “LIVE UNITED is a way of life, a belief that every individual has a responsibility to help others and to make our community a better place. LIVE UNITED is about taking our shared values and turning them into action – Give, Advocate, Volunteer – in order to build a stronger Allen County.”
Anyone wanting to contribute to United Way’s Community Campaign can give online at www.unitedwayallencounty.org or call 260.422.4776 and ask for the staff accountant. Approximately 500 area businesses run workplace campaigns with about 15,000 individuals making a donation every year. Workplace campaigns run September 2009 through early 2010.
Related Images:
