ASHLAND — United Way of Ashland County is asking for the community’s help as the organization closes in on its 2018 campaign goal.
The local United Way has raised 90 percent of the $975,000 “Faces of Change” campaign goal. It still has $97,500 left to raise in order to fully fund its partner agencies for the year.
Executive director Stacy Schiemann said the organization is hoping to reach the goal before its annual meeting on Feb. 27.
The annual meeting includes a lunch buffet at 11:45 a.m. in Ashland University’s Convocation Center. Tickets are $20 or $180 for a table of 10. Those who wish to attend should RSVP by Friday, Feb. 16 by emailing missy@uwashlandoh.org or calling 419-281-5551.
In recent years, United Way of Ashland County has met its goal by year’s end or in January.
Schiemann said the organization is reaching the finish line later this year in part because some businesses are running their own campaigns later and in part because people have chosen to give toward relief efforts for recent large-scale natural disasters in the country.
The local United Way is also adapting to a change in leadership, which Schiemann said may be a factor.
This has been Schiemann’s first annual campaign as executive director, and she noted learning a great deal and gaining confidence throughout the process.
As local residents make decisions about charitable giving, Schiemann said she would encourage them to consider United Way of Ashland County.
“When they’re looking at United Way, what they’re doing is taking that power of their dollar and stretching it over 13 local agencies,” she said. “The agencies that go through the application process and are funded, I believe, are the best agencies in Ashland County.”
Money raised through United Way of Ashland county’s annual campaigns goes to support 13 partner agencies and the Mohican Area Community Fund as well as United Way’s own community programs.
Partner agencies include American Red Cross, Appleseed Community Mental Health Safe Haven Shelter, Ashland County Cancer Association, Ashland County Council on Aging, Ashland County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Ashland Parenting Plus, Ashland Y, Associated Charities, Catalyst Life Services, Catholic Charities, Hospice of North Central Ohio and Kidney Foundation of Ohio.
