Logan County United Way officials are hoping that strong end-of-year giving will be even to push overall campaign contributions over $1 million for the second consecutive year.
Current giving totals stand at $902,979 and United Way representatives believe that an aggressive fundraising push for the last few weeks of the 2019 will be enough to help the agency meet its stated fundraising goal for this year.
“We are in the midst of our final push to reach $1 million,” champaign chairwoman Alison Marker, said. “I think we’ll be close, but we really hope there will be some folks who step up in these final weeks so we can meet or beat our goal.”
Funds contributed to the United Way of Logan County benefit a host of local agencies including Soteria House, domestic violence shelter, Discovery Riders, hospice services and woman clothes for kids.
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“These are all really different and really important programs for our community,” Marker said.
Another beneficiary of local United Way contributions is the Second Harvest Food Bank’s mobile food pantry, which distributed over 600,000 meals last year to families in Logan County, with some resources and support from the local United Way.
A $5,000 United Way Impact Grant was among the allocations that helped towards the installation of the Come Play at the Peak inclusive playground, which broke ground earlier this year at Mary Rutan Park.
New this year, Logan County United Way has unveiled an online auction as a means to increase contributions. Participants may bid online for a variety of experiences, merchandise and candy. Six days are left to bid on items including four Ohio State men’s basketball tickets versus Wisconsin, and gift basket; four private suite tickets to an OSU men’s hockey game, or men’s or women’s basketball; a ride to school in a West Liberty fire truck; gym memberships; a Christmas basket from Marie’s Candies; a gift card and basket from Lola Salon; and more.
Visit biddingforgood.com, and enter auction ID 341694518 to browse and bid.
Alongside more than 100 local corporate partners, hundreds of volunteers and some 3,800 individual donors, the local United Way chapter is an advocate for the health, education and financial stability of every person in Logan County.
“The $1 million (campaign goal) allows the United Way to support at the same level as last year,” Marker said. “Unfortunately, the needs are much greater than $1 million, but we’d really like to match where we were last year so that we can at least continue providing the partner agencies with funding they need to serve those in need.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has already contributed to the campaign this year — and would also like to recognize Dave Bezusko for his amazing commitment and leadership — and our campaign committee for their hard work over these past few months,” she went on.
As chairwoman, Marker said she has met with dozens of local businesses, “to talk with them about how they can be a part of something bigger to really help those in our community,” she said, adding that, “their response has been heartwarming.
“Some of the smallest companies are the most passionate givers, and some of the employees across the county who are paid the least are the ones who gives the most,” Marker said.
Ultimately, “it just feels good to give, and to know you are helping those who really need it,” she concluded.
Visit www.uwlogan.org to sign up to volunteer or donate. More information on the agency, including links directly to the online auction can be found by searching United Way of Logan County on Facebook.