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United Way of Union County sets $750,000 target |
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| United Way of Union County volunteers are working toward raising a record-setting $750,000
in the annual fund-raising campaign. The drive, which raises money for the United Way’s 23 Member Agencies and other funded partners, runs
through November. "It’s a lot of zeros," said John “Turk” Michel, 2003 Volunteer Campaign Chair. "That’s a lot of money that can provide a lot of help to a lot of people." The three-quarters of a million dollar mark was established by the United Way Board of Trustees in response to an ever-growing need in our ever-growing community. The goal, an all-time high for the United Way of Union County, was carefully calculated after considering budget requests from Member Agencies, potential investments by area businesses and individuals, and the local economy. The annual campaign goal and intake has more than doubled in the last 10 years and is a far cry from the $35,000 the United Way of Union County sought during its first campaign in 1958. Last year’s campaign reaped more than $702,000 for social service programs in the county. “There are 23 agencies out there that have the interests of the residents of Union County in their hearts,” Michel said. “It isn’t like we’re giving to big national programs or something where you never see the impact of it. This is local. This is our people right here in Union County.” United Way-funded programs serve nearly 20,000 Union County residents, or about half of the population. Sometimes it’s little things that improve the quality of life, like paying registration fees for kids whose families can't afford to participate in recreational programs. Often, it’s serious matters such as shelter and support for victims of domestic violence, emergency assistance, or much-needed senior citizen services. In every instance, the programs exist in full or in part because of the annual generosity of donors who give to United Way at home or through work. “The need in our community is real and people who don’t think that it is are only kidding themselves,” said Dave Bezusko, Campaign and Public Relations Director. “Instead of taking the main routes through town, take some of the side streets, look around and pay attention to the details,” Michel said. "You'll see people that look like they can use a helping hand. And that’s why when I see the United Way symbol with the hand out there, that isn’t a hand asking for a handout. That’s a hand trying to help somebody and I think there’s a difference between those two things." United Way of Union County Member Agencies include the American Red Cross Union County Chapter; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Union County; Boy Scouts; Child Assault Prevention Project; Child Care Network; Community Services Association; Consolidated Care; Girl Scouts; Legal Aid Society; Loving Care Hospice; Marysville Victory Center; Memorial Meals Program; Mental Health Association; Pleasant Valley Seniors; Richwood Civic Center; Speech, Language, & Hearing; Turning Point; Union County Cancer Society; Union County Family YMCA; Union County Personal Needs Pantry; Union County Special Needs Council; Windsor & Community Seniors; and Wings Enrichment Center. United Way informational materials and pledge forms will soon be blanketing the county. Those interested in making a donation can do so by sending their pledge to the United Way of Union County, P.O. Box 145, Marysville, Ohio 43040. For more information, please contact the United Way at (937) 644-8381 or online at www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org. |