FORT WAYNE (September 17, 2009) – United Way of Allen County is calling on local residents to “Live United” and support essential social services by donating to this year’s annual Community Campaign. The local United Way Board of Directors has set the 2009-10 workplace campaign goal at $4.8 million. During the 2008-09 workplace campaign, United Way raised $4.7 million.
Donations to United Way of Allen County support 64 local social service programs, everything from day care to health care, from counseling to scouting, and from literacy instruction to shelter for the homeless. The funds are allocated by volunteers who carefully examine each program and its results. Programs must fall into one of three United Way focus areas: Success in School, Family Stability and Meeting Basic Needs.
In addition to the annual campaign, United Way brings in grants and other restricted dollars to support a number of key community initiatives, including Learn United, which is a ten-year effort to ensure all local children can read at grade level by the third grade. Other initiatives include building a collaborative case management system for local non-profits, promoting diversity and inclusion, and educating residents about financial management.
“A donation to United Way does more than fund vital programming,” says 2009 Campaign Chair Ron Turpin of Lincoln Financial Group. “United Way is the central agency that provides an overarching view of social services in our community; we help track community needs and issues and bring the partners and dollars together to address those issues.”
United Way works to address both long-term and short-term needs in order to get at the root causes of poverty. United Way also provides oversight of agency operations and program results on behalf of donors. And, United Way is in the unique position of being able to bring non-profit agencies together to coordinate services and create efficiencies.
“This year’s theme is Live United,” said Jerry Peterson, president and CEO of United Way of Allen County. “Live United captures what United Way is all about. When even one of our neighbors is suffering, it affects all of us; only if we all work together can we make Allen County a better place for everyone.”
“This year, the needs in Allen County are especially great,” said Turpin. “More people are out of work and that creates a ripple effect—fewer people can donate, but more need services like food, shelter and health care. That’s why it’s critical that those who can give, step up and help those in need. Even if someone can donate a $1 week, it makes a difference.”
Anyone wanting to contribute to United Way’s Community Campaign can give online at www.unitedwayallencounty.org or call 260.422.4776 and ask for the staff accountant. Approximately 500 area businesses run workplace campaigns with about 15,000 individuals making a donation every year. Workplace campaigns run September 2009 through early 2010.
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