United Way of Richland County hosted a reception on Wednesday at Westbrook County Club for the “pillars of the community” who donated more than $750 to the organization for their 2013 campaign.
“They are the pillars of the campaign,” said Dan Varn, executive director of United Way of Richland County. “There are a little over 300 pillars and they account for over 29 percent of our 2013 campaign. These are folks who are incredibly committed to the United Way.”
The organization holds the annual even to thank the people of Richland County who gave the most money to help United Way’s 25 partner agencies. In addition to donors, the event was also attended by former United Way Executive Director Bob Maxey.
“It’s a recognition of these folks,” said Varn. “As far as United Way goes, they are the most generous and committed donors that we have and it’s certainly something that we enjoy recognizing.”
In addition to showing gratitude to the donors, Varn said the reception is also a springboard towards beginning to raise money for the 2014 campaign.
“We would not be able to operate without these (people),” he said. “When you’re talking about last year we did a hair over $1.65 million and these folks accounted for $485,000 of it, so you can tell that if they were not around where would the funding to our agencies, programs and services that we provide be at? So, it really is a testimonial to the generosity of these folks.”
Varn told the gathering, “Looking ahead, it is my goal that the United Way continues to provide ever-increasing resources to the programs and resources throughout the county. That being said, we also will be working diligently with our partners to ensure that the programs and services that we are providing will continue to meet the high standards of the community. We will also work diligently to ensure that there is no duplication of efforts and ensure that the support the community gives us is channeled in the most impactful directions.”
Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst Life Services, Veronica Groff, said the agency is a merger of The Rehab Center and The Center for Individual and Family Services.
“Both of those agencies from the history we could find were funded by the United Fund back in 1956,” she said. “So someone way back then thought that these organizations did very valuable work.”
Richland county Commissioners Ed Olsen and Gary Utt, who were co-chairs for the 2013 campaign, addressed the group in a Marx brother’s tone, but their message was serious. “We rehearsed this,” they quipped.
“First and foremost, thank you so much for everything you’ve done in the past,” said Olsen. “We sincerely ask that you will continue as pillar members.”
Olsen said he and Utt were talking about back when the General Motors was in town, the group of pillars made up 26 percent of the community but now, the group is made up of 29 percent of the community. “At that rate of growth, within a few years, the pillars will represent about one third of all the money that is raised,” he said.
As Olsen ‘gave the floor’ to Utt, he joked, “When we rehearsed this, Ed told me not to say ditto so I won’t do that.” In addition to thanking the donors, Utt said it’s important to keep the vital services and programs going in the county.
“Now that General Motors is gone, it’s a fact that you guys have stepped up and we do appreciate that, I hope you know that,” he said.
Follow Angel N. Ross-Taylor on Twitter @angelnichole222
