MANSFIELD — With its annual Dash to the Goal and Richlandopoly events on Friday, the United Way of Richland County will likely meet its fundraising campaign goal of $1,425,000.
If so, when the final numbers are reported during the organization’s annual meeting next Thursday evening, the United Way will have met its goal for the third year in a row.
“We are hoping to get very close today and we will see how it all shakes out,” said Dan Varn, executive director for the local United Way. “It’s a great day. It’s very exciting and we are very appreciative to Graham’s and Haring for what they have done to make today happen.”
The Dash to the Goal event was Friday morning at Graham Automall and the Richlandopoly event, sponsored by Haring Realty, followed at the Richland Mall.
One of the highlights of the event at Graham’s was a check presentation for $50,000 from Richland County Foundation President Brady Grove on behalf of a foundation donor.
Varn said the check put the effort over $1.4 million, closing to within $24,000 of the goal.
“We can’t thank enough the foundation for all the support we receive from them,” Varn said. “The work the foundation does in this community is vital and beyond impactful.
“So many of the great things happening in Richland County right now are the direct result of the foundation,” Varn said.
United Way of Richland County set the same fundraising goal this year as a year ago.
“We feel like we’re in a good place,” Varn said of the campaign drive. “Every year you have challenges and you have things that change. We feel like we are on a good trajectory.”
