United Way needs strong push to reach mark Honda drives donations to 67% of goal 3 November 2010

With results of area political campaigns in the record book, United Way of Union County volunteers are rolling out one more campaign slogan to area residents: “Give where you live!” Two months into United Way’s three-month fundraising campaign, pledges are at $586,778, or two-thirds of the $875,000 goal. United Way raised more than $843,000 during the 2009 campaign. “You could say that with 20 of 93 precincts (or workplaces) reporting, we’re tracking about on par with last year,” said Dave Bezusko, United Way’s Campaign & PR Director. “But par isn’t good enough this year. The ‘Great Recession’ may be over, but its impact is still being felt So we need to score a birdie or an eagle. We need to raise more than last year.” Bezusko says that you do not have to look around the world to find people in need. You just have to look around the corner. Thus the “Give where you live” slogan was born. He cites The Salvation Army’s Homeless Prevention program for proof. Honda of America, Manufacturing’s Bobbie Jo Trittschuh has the honor of raising the United Way campaign thermometer on the courthouse lawn by 25% after associates and the Honda corporate match raised $213,938 this fall. This is the 10th consecutive year HAM has raised more than $200,000 for United Way of Union County. Left to right: Betty Hoile, Honda of America associate and United Way Board Member; Denise Grow, Memorial Hospital of Union County and United Way Board Member; Trittschuh; Shari Marsh, United Way Executive Director; Jim Cox, McCarthy & Cox and United Way Board Member; and Joyce Garrard, Union County Engineer’s Office and United Way Board Member. United Way’s top-funded partner exhausted all of its resources for the year in early October after assisting 136 Union County households with rent or utility assistance. Now those needing rent or utility assistance have to wait until 2011 for help. To illustrate just how effective the program has been, Bezusko reports that only six Union County residents had to use the Marion Shelter Program (the homeless shelter that serves our community) through the first six months of 2010. Without the Homeless Prevention Program in place, there are eight Union County residents in the Marion Shelter now. Many area workplaces are responding to the challenge. Giving at Honda of America alone accounts for a quarter of the county’s campaign goal as the auto manufacturer exceeded $200,000 for the 10th consecutive year. With 61 percent of associates participating and a 50 percent corporate match, $213,938 will be coming to Union County in 2011. “We focused on the idea that ‘Together, we can change our communities,’” said Bobbie Jo Trittschuh, Honda’s Administrative Coordinator of Company Communications. “We played on the ‘change’ part of it, encouraging associates to donate an extra 50 cents per week because a little bit of ‘pocket change’ can ‘change’ our communities. I think it worked.” Record-level giving has occurred this year by the City of Marysville, Fairbanks Schools, Jonathan Alder Schools, Loving Care Hospice, Marysville Schools, North Union Schools, Richwood Banking Company, Union County Board of DD, and Union County Senior Services. 55 local workplaces are conducting United Way campaigns this year. To help make up for the gap in projected donations and the 2010 campaign goal, United Way volunteers are beginning a grassroots effort this month to reach out to past donors, hoping to renew their support. Bezusko reminds people that “money raised here stays here” to improve lives in Union County. United Way supports about 22,000 local residents through more than 40 programs, including four food pantries, four senior centers, and everyday youth activities such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. “Warmth. Safety. A full stomach. Health. Companionship. Opportunity. Justice. Hope. When you give to United Way, you give one or more of these to someone who needs it. Right here, in your own backyard,” Bezusko said. United Way encourages people to give via payroll deduction at work if their workplace conducts a campaign. Otherwise, they may log onto www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org and click the “DONATE” button on the homepage to securely make a gift. Or they may send cash or check to: United Way of Union County, PO Box 145, Marysville, Ohio, 43040. More than just a fundraiser, United Way is a valued community partner, collaborating with local businesses, government, non-profits, and individuals to solve pressing social service issues - large and small. From working to establish a safety net for those in danger of losing their housing to ensuring that children have the opportunity to participate in recreational activities, United Way is at the forefront of making an impact in areas that need it the most.