United Way Campaign kicks off with high tech twists Area businesses providing new giving options For Immediate Release 29 August 2006

As United Way of Union County kicks off its annual campaign this fall, it does so with a 21st Century flair. Donors have two new high-tech options to direct their giving to the local charity. Thanks to the support of the Richwood Banking Company, donors can now have their pledges to United Way transferred automatically from their bank accounts via a new electronic funds transfer option. They can also give via United Way’s new Online Community Auction, presented by Honda Marysville. This eBay-like website allows businesses and individuals to make in-kind donations of products, services, collectibles, and more. Hopeful of raising $750,000 to meet the needs of the people served by its 24 Member Agencies, United Way is looking to reach beyond its traditional methods of fundraising to target new donors and additional dollars. More than 90% of United Way’s annual donations come via the traditional workplace campaign; individual payroll deductions and the subsequent corporate matches. Last year, the organization raised $713,345, 8% short of its $775,000 goal. Shari Watkins (standing), of RPMS, a subsidiary of Richwood Banking Company, shows Shari Marsh, United Way of Union County, how to process pledges via the organization’s new Electronic Funds Transfer option. For the first time, donors giving from home or small business will have the ability to give automatically to United Way each month like those who give via payroll deduction at work. “We needed to develop new ways to reach out to those who don’t work in places that conduct United Way campaigns,” said Dave Bezusko, Campaign & PR Director for the United Way of Union County. “We’re hoping the new EFT option in our upcoming residential mailing will help us connect with a new audience, such as commuters who live here but work out of the county, retirees, and the large number of people who work in places where payroll deduction giving is not available to them. Now these folks can easily give to United Way and spread out their contribution throughout the course of the year too.” United Way is helping the Richwood Banking Company to pioneer a new method of business banking as one of the first customer to sign up for a new online product that allows small businesses and non-profit organizations to collect and remit payments. This product allows the United Way a more convenient, high tech way of collecting donations. When donors choose and authorize the automatic payment option on the pledge forms, United Way can electronically debit their bank account. “This offers more flexibility to the both the United Way and the donor that writing a check cannot,” said Shari Watkins, of RPMS, a subsidiary of Richwood Banking Company. “The process is simple; once the proper authorization is obtained, United Way can enter the customer’s bank account information, name and donation amount. On a specified date the donation is electronically processed and sent to the United Way. The donations can be a one-time payment or recurring, at the customers’ request. This saves time, cuts down on stacks of checks to process, trips to the bank, and helps protect against identity theft.” United Way’s new Online Auction is modeled after a similar event conducted in Zanesville by the local United Way in that community. Bezusko says that over the course of a few weeks, they obtained about 100 items, had over 30,000 hits on their website, and raised over $12,000. “The auction is an outlet created to cater toward our community’s small businesses to help put the spotlight on them, their products, and their services,” Bezusko said. “It’s a great way to showcase your business and help United Way at the same time.” Items donated will be auctioned during 10 frantic days of online bidding October 20 to 30. The auction site is already live to accept donations and to preview the catalog and is linked directly off United Way’s website at www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org. Sponsorship provided by Honda Marysville is covering all expenses incurred to set up the event, meaning that 100% of the proceeds from items donated and sold online will be used to support United Way’s programs and services in Union County. “It’s a fun way to give because you’re getting something that you want in return for your gift,” Bezusko said. “There are a lot of great items already up in our online catalog. There are big ticket items like a big screen TV, a 2006 Metropolitan Scooter, a vacation package, and credit on a lot purchase for a new home. There are small trinkets, collectibles, and memorabilia. It’s a great place to find some bargains and to do some early Christmas shopping. We’ll have something for everyone.” United Way’s new high tech giving options have also been made possible by recent upgrades made in its in-house operations. A committee of volunteers including Bob Schwyn, Technology Leadership Partners; Jason Comstock, Clarity Technology Solutions; Craig Ruhl, Richwood Banking Company; Steve Merriman, Liberty TechSystems; and Georgia Tobin, eMarysville.com; met over the course of several months to help United Way assess its technology needs and developed a plan to economically improve its capacity. A donation of three new computers by Hewlett-Packard highlighted the changes. For more information about the United Way of Union County, please visit www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org or call (937) 644-8381.