With the political campaign in the rear view mirror, United Way officials hope to turn the focus to another campaign that needs attention. The 2020 United Way Campaign in Logan County is lagging behind recent pace, officials reported this week.
As of Wednesday, $623,619 of the $1 million goal has been pledged. $778,957 had already been raised on this date last year, when giving to United Way of Logan County reached an all-time record of $1,059,313 while surpassing $1 million for the second straight year.
Despite the slower pace, the goal remains in reach.
“It is amazing to see in this unprecedented time how many individuals and businesses have stepped up to provide for our residents,” said Katie Rychener, serving as United Way’s Campaign Co-Chair with her husband Darrin Haubert. “We have people pledging in greater quantities to compensate for those who may not be able to give this year, which is exactly why Logan County is so special. We all work together to support one another, our neighbors, our friends and even strangers.”
“We’re down, but not out,” said Dave Bezusko, United Way’s executive director. “Logan County rallies together to Live United and take care of our own like no other community! Those who can give are, and they are giving big!”
Just 22 of the 47 workplaces running traditional workplace campaigns have reported final results, with record-level giving in six of them. Those include: Benjamin Logan Schools, Citizens Federal Savings & Loan, Indian Lake Schools, Logan County Electric Cooperative, Riverside Schools, and West Liberty-Salem Schools. Individual giving is ahead of last year’s pace.
Like many operations, United Way volunteers have had to modify how they’ve gone about raising money this year, with online pledging, virtual campaign presentations, and direct mail taking more prominent roles.
The organization’s second annual Online Auction is set to launch on Cyber Monday just in time for the Christmas shopping season on www.uwlogan.org.
The United Way is looking for in-kind product and service donations from area businesses to showcase in this year’s event. Last year, 993 bids were made on 78 donated items, generating $35,000. It was a very popular draw that United Way hopes will get even bigger this year.
Bezusko believes a United Way gift has never made a bigger impact as the response to these challenges by United Way’s Funded Agencies has been unprecedented. For example:
• With the help of the Ohio National Guard, Second Harvest Food Bank has served over 7,000 unduplicated Logan County residents with their twice-weekly drive-thru food distributions. More than half had never visited a food pantry before.
• Life Care Alliance has seen a 67 percent increase in homebound Senior citizens signing up for Meals-on-Wheels.
• TCN and Recovery Zone are helping people cope with anxiety and mental health issues like never before.
• All the while, services like the Dolly Parton Imagination Library early childhood literacy program, Logan County Cancer Society, Warm Clothes for Kids, and more have gone on uninterrupted.
“As a nation we have been through an unbelievably challenging period,” Rychener said. “However, with the holidays right around the corner and viable solutions on the horizon, we need to remember that United Way is all-encompassing. We are here to support the health, education, and financial stability of every person in Logan County.
“Therefore, whether you are a donor or a recipient, please use your network to talk about the value that United Way brings to our community. Positive word of mouth can reap volumes with regards to recognition of our collective efforts. Remember, great things can and will happen when we Live United!”
Donors can give via payroll deduction at work, online at www.uwlogan.org, or by texting UWLOGAN to 44321.
United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of everyone in Logan County. It does so by facilitating successful agency partnerships that enable a safe, healthy, and caring community.
Since 1955, more than $24 million has been raised through United Way to support the specific social service needs of Logan County. More than just a fundraiser, United Way collaborates with businesses, non-profits, government, and civic organizations to help meet the social service needs of the community. For more information, visit www.uwlogan.org or call (937) 592-2886.