Sun Nov 08 2009
By LISA NICELY
United we stand.
United Way agencies of northwest Ohio are hoping people learn to live united and they help achieve the agencies' annual fund-raising goals, with those monies earmarked to help operate programs which benefit communities.
In Defiance County, United Way is hoping to raise $370,000 to fund 41 programs aiding residents countywide.
"We've got 54.9 percent of our goal," said Carrie Wetstein, Defiance County United Way executive director. So far, $203,260 has been raised. "I'm optimistic about the goal."
On Wednesday, around 40 people attended the organization's leadership gathering. (Leadership givers have donated $500 or more to the campaign.)
"One of our goals is to show donors where the money is going and how it impacts the community," said Wetstein, noting that representatives of three agencies -- Center for Child and Family Advocacy, First Call for Help and Hicksville Community Service Center -- gave presentations at the gathering. She added the event is always very educational for those in attendance.
When asked if the downturn in the economy has affected the campaign, Wetstein responded, "It's just been an interesting phenomenon."
"We've seen it fluctuate," she said of donations. "Some are giving more because they realize the need is greater, and others aren't able to give as much."
With the economy struggling, other area United Ways are seeing lighter donations in some sectors or donation campaigns taking longer to complete.
There is no community fund-raising goal this year for United Way of Henry County, said executive director Thomas Mack. "We raised over $500,000 last year and hope to come close to that this year."
"We've got 80 percent of our work sites in. In the corporate and major gift areas things are ahead of last year. In auto sites, things are off substantially."
Mack said that the United Way campaign has raised more than $303,000 so far. Campbell Soup Supply Co. has just begun its United Way drive, which will help the total. That campaign usually accounts for $150,000 of the United Way's fund drive.
Other workplaces are continuing their campaigns. Mack said he hopes to wrap up fund-raising by the end of the year.
The campaign in Williams County may not be completed until January, said Chris Malanga, United Way's chief executive officer. The agency's campaign goal is $375,000.
"We're about 30 percent of goal at $112,000," he said. "Things are going pretty slow. Obviously, the economy isn't the best right now, so we are seeing things come in lower and get strung out a little more."
Malanga said he's still optimistic that the agency will reach its goal. He said only about half a dozen companies have completed their campaigns.
Company campaigns are also off to a slow start in Fulton County.
"We have a lot of campaigns that normally run by now that are delayed," said Gina Saaf, executive director of the county's United Way. " Some of our biggest (company campaigns) haven't even run yet."
The organization's goal is $320,000. So far, approximately $85,000 has been raised.
"We're hoping to come close to our goal," said Saaf. "We actually lowered our goal this year, so we hope we can make it or get real close."
Also just starting its campaign is Paulding County.
"It will be officially kicked off soon," said Nancy Hessler, executive director. "We've received a little over $1,000 in donations from individuals that usually donate."
The agency's goal is $33,000.
Hessler said she is a little concerned about reaching the goal because of the economy. She's also concerned because of the great need she sees in the community.
"The need is definitely increasing already," she said. "The need is going to be extreme whether or not we reach our goal. The need is even greater than it has been."
The need for services was much greater in Putnam County last year, because of the devastation left by two floods and a tornado. That need has translated into more donations for United Way. In 2007, United Way surpassed its goal.
"We had a couple of pacesetters unable to do some of the projects they wanted to last year because they were affected by the flood, so they came back this year," said Jeanne Beutler, executive director.
She added that the agencies United Way funds really came to the forefront during the flooding.
"People won't soon forget everything they saw occurring a year ago and how many of our agencies were involved with people so drastically affected by the floods," she said.
Pacesetters for this year's campaign include Iams Co., Pro-Tec Coating, Fortman Insurance Services, Union Bank Co. and Pathways Counseling Center.
The campaign's theme this year is "It All Begins with U."
The goal is $325,000.
"We're at 50 percent, but our projections are 100 percent," said Beutler. "We won't have our totals in until spring, but in January we will have a final announcement. Then at our annual meeting Jan. 15 we'll announce the total. I think we'll be at 100 percent at that time."
About $100,000 of the agency's donations come from designations through other United Ways, which are turned over in the spring.
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