MANSFIELD — The United Way of Richland County fell short of its goal Friday, raising only 93.6 percent of its $1.425 million target.
The United Way raised $62,145 between Haring Realty’s Richlandopoly game at the Richland Mall and events at the Graham Auto Mall, bringing the organization’s campaign total to $1,333,692.
“We’re feeling cautiously optimistic because we’re waiting on a lot of out of the area results that we’ve had in year past,” United Way’s executive director Dan Varn said Friday afternoon. “We appreciate everyone’s support to get us this far, but we’ll keep pushing for the organizations we support.”
He hopes to raise the remaining dollars by the United Way’s annual dinner Thursday, March 14. He encouraged people to continue donating.
Friday’s dash day totals included $50,000 from an anonymous donor through the Richland County Foundation, $11,235 from Richlandopoly and more than $1,100 in cash, check and credit card pledges made at Graham’s Auto Mall or the Richland Mall.
“That speaks volumes about the community,” Varn said. “And we’ll keep plugging away. We’re only maybe down by three in this quarter, but its the fourth quarter and we’ve got the ball. We feel good about it.”
Mark Masters, president of Mechanics Bank and United Way’s 2019 campaign chair, says its important to reach the goal.
“It’s very important to understand though we’re close to the goal, $97,000 is a very, very meaningful number to the agencies that support those in need in our community. That’s what we never, never want to lose sight of,” Masters said Friday morning before additional dollars pushed the United Way a little closer to its goal.
“We talk about the goals and how close we are, but the agencies in the community, they’re counting on the United Way to support them, so they can help those who are in great need.”
Haring Realty’s second annual Richlandopoly — a life-sized and localized version of Monopoly — drew a crowd at Richland Mall Friday, as eight local businesses and organizations competed on a 20×20-foot game board. This year’s teams were Richland Bank, Mechanics Bank, Richland Source, Schmidt Security, Warren Rupp, Hamilton Insurance, Southern Title and the Ohio State Reformatory. Newcomer, Mechanics Bank won the two-hour game.
“We wanted to do something as a team to support a nonprofit, and United Way represents so many nonprofits that it was a natural fit. And since we’re a real estate company, the game of Richlandopoly also seemed to be a perfect fit,” said Lori Sjostedt, realtor.
The Ohio State Reformatory had four representatives present for their team, who hoped to defend their title.
“We try to do as much community involvement as we can and we think it’s a really cool way to give back to the community and partner with other organizations for a good cause,” said the reformatory’s Dan Smith.
Graham Auto Mall had a cash machine, where people could win gift cards donated by area restaurants.
