|
United Way campaign in full swing |
|
|
| Volunteers around the county are working to help United Way of Union County achieve an $800,000
fundraising goal during this fall’s annual campaign. Traditional workplace campaigns, where associates have an opportunity to give to United Way via payroll deduction, are being conducted in 49 area workplaces. In all, more than 300 area businesses are projected to support United Way with corporate gifts or donations before the campaign ends in November. A flier providing all area residents an opportunity to give from home was mailed out this week. More than 3,400 individuals made their charitable impact via United Way of Union County last year as the organization surpassed its $750,000 goal, raising $775,201. Money raised here is used within the county to help the organization achieve its mission of bringing neighbors together to improve lives, meeting social service needs of area residents. Funding requests from United Way’s 24 Member Agencies for 2008 top $640,000. Money is also needed for United Way’s own programming and initiatives. “We’re off and running,” said Dave Bezusko, United Way’s Campaign & PR Director. “It’s encouraging to see so much support throughout the community. Union County is truly a generous community where neighbors reach out to help one another. We take care of our own.” A major objective of United Way’s volunteers this fall is to increase donor participation rates countywide. They hope to accomplish that by increasing awareness and education of what United Way does and by asking as many people to give as possible. “Research shows that the number one reason why people don’t give to United Way is because they’re not asked,” Bezusko said. “If you’re reading this article, consider yourself asked. It doesn’t take a big gift to make a big impact. We can make a dollar a week go a long way.” Bezusko cites the fact that United Way and its agencies can leverage donor dollars with other resources to make an even greater impact in the community. For instance, a pledge of $1 a week can provide two families with a week’s worth of toiletries and household items that cannot be purchased with food stamps. A pledge of $2 a week can provide a full month of meals-on-wheels to a senior citizen. A pledge of $5 a week can provide a working family with a month of child care for one child. And a pledge of $10 a week can keep a family from becoming homeless by providing rent assistance to a household that would otherwise be evicted. United Way is hoping to achieve a boost through a pair of special events this fall. The inaugural Game Day 5K and Fun-Run presented by Jerome Village will be conducted October 6 at Glacier Ridge Metro Park in Jerome Township. The family-friendly event includes a pre-race concert by the Ohio State University Alumni Band and a post-race breakfast catered by Der Dutchman. “Even if you aren’t a runner, you can come out and walk with your family, take in the pep rally, and enjoy a breakfast,” Bezusko said. “The Buckeyes play at Purdue at night that week, so you won’t miss a play.” United Way will also conduct an eBay-like Online Auction on its website, www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org, from October 8 through October 30. Last year’s auction raised $13,165 selling in-kind product and service donations from area businesses. “We had over 489,000 hits on our auction website last fall, making it a great way for small businesses to spotlight what they have to offer while giving back to the community at the same time,” Bezusko said. “Even though 95 percent of the bidders were local, we did ship some items to California and Maine. It was literally coast to coast!” Bezusko encourages individuals who plan to donate to do so through work if their workplace conducts a United Way campaign because United Way often benefits from a matching corporate gift. Equally important, he says, is making sure that people designate to Union County on their pledge forms. About 25 percent of United Way’s donations come from workplaces beyond Union County’s borders from area residents who commute to work outside our community. “We ask people to give where they live,” Bezusko said. “Commuters may be participating in the United Way campaign at their workplace outside of Union County. But they have to review their pledge form and designate their gift to United Way of Union County. It won’t be directed to help here at home unless they specifically request it to be forwarded here.” Individuals who are retired, self-employed, or work at a workplace where no United Way campaign is being conducted may give online at www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org or via mail by writing a check to: United Way of Union County, P.O. Box 145, Marysville, Ohio, 43040. Businesses wishing to support United Way by conducting a first-year workplace campaign, making a corporate gift, or sponsoring an upcoming event can contact United Way at (937) 644-8381. |