United Way: 2010 under $450,000 goal

Although United Way’s 2010 campaign was a little disappointing, there are higher hopes for this year’s campaign, which begins in September.

“The United Way of Van Wert County has just ended the 2010 campaign (and) contributions were just shy of $417,000,” stated Meghan Dicke, 2010 campaign chair (click here for campaign breakdown).  “I am grateful for those individuals who contributed, as well as the businesses, industries, banks, and school employees,  but I am disappointed at the same time.

I wish we could have reached that $450,000 goal,” she added. “When you look at an agency’s funding application and know that the program(s) are needed in the community, yet you just don’t have enough funds to go around, tough decisions have to be made; it is not an easy thing to do.”

Dicke said United Way is looking forward o a new campaign with Chair Lorie Garwood of First Bank of Berne. Garwood has been a volunteer with United Way for more than six years, starting out as a member of the Executive Committee, then moving to board treasurer, 2010 Day of Caring chair, and campaign chair this year.

“Lorie comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience with United Way and is a committed volunteer,” said Executive Director Deb Russell. “We are grateful that First Bank of Berne allows their staff the time to participate with community organizations. Rob Gamble of First Bank of Berne was our campaign chair in 2009.”

For a campaign kickoff, Garwood wanted to have a different event. “I wanted people to have a great time while learning about the United Way and what the agencies do for the community,” she said. “So I did some brainstorming and thought why not downtown Van Wert?

“We approached Seth Baker, director of Main Street, and he presented it to his board,” Garwood added. “They were very receptive and agreed that Main Street and United Way would join forces on Friday, August 12, to kick off the United Way campaign.

Garwood said United Way officials thought the match-up would be a great way for people to go into a business — one they maybe didn’t know about, what it sold, or what services it provided, or that it was even located in downtown Van Wert.

There will be plenty of activities for people of all ages to participate in: food, agency displays, and boxes to begin collecting for the Day of Caring food drive.

“We want everyone to come to downtown Van Wert on that day and have a good time,” Garwood noted. “We will begin about 11 a.m. and go until 5 p.m. so people still have time to go to the last concert in the park that night.”

Look for specific details when the date gets closer, but mark calendars now and “save the date”, Friday, August 12.