The red line within United Way of Richland County campaign thermometer has increased bit by bit since the launch of the campaign last August, now reaching 92 percent of the goal. To meet the targeted dollar amount of $1,650,000, United Way staff is asking for the community’s support.
Executive Director Bob Maxey explained that United Way’s 25 partner agencies requested more financial support for the 2013 campaign, given that the agencies’ state and federal grants have been cut back.
“So we built an extra $50,000 into our goal knowing that the request was coming. If we don’t make the goal, then they don’t get the dollars that they need for their services,” Maxey said.
For some of the partner agencies, 50 percent of their budgets come from United Way. Other agencies are totally dependent on United Way for funds, said outgoing Board President Kristie Massa.
When traveling within Mansfield, it’s hard not to come across at least one of the partner agencies—among those include the Friendly House, Catholic Charities, the Domestic Violence Shelter, and the Mansfield YMCA.
Maxey noted that United Way also contributes funds towards the Red Cross’s Emergency Communication Services—which notifies military service members of significant situations, such as the death of a family member or birth of a service member’s child—as well as the Red Cross’s Disaster Relief program.
Massa said that it’s amazing to see what those who work in the partner agencies do on a daily basis and how they benefit the community. “They’re very special people,” she said, “and we want to support them by any means possible.”
Currently, United Way has raised $1,524,062.05 as of Jan. 30. The cut-off date to donate is marked at Feb. 20.
“We’re not ungrateful for everything that we’ve raised so far, and we’re going to get to the $1.6 million mark pretty comfortably. But we just know that if we don’t raise that additional $50,000, it’s going to be a direct impact on the agencies,” stated Maxey.
If people would like to get more details about the 2013 campaign, Maxey said that the United Way staff would be willing to meet to discuss the campaign in more detail. Further, he said the staff will pick up any donations people would like to contribute if they are unable to do so for themselves.
To donate, you may stop in or mail your donation to the United Way of Richland County office, 35 Park St., Mansfield. You may also donate online at http://unitedwayofrichlandcounty.org/DONATE.php, or drop off at the Richland Bank, 3 N. Main St., Mansfield.
“We just know that if we don’t raise that additional $50,000, it’s going to be a direct impact on the agencies,” stated Bob Maxey.
