United Way hopes to raise $365,000
By Stephanie Lipcius Palko
spalko@chespub.com
United Way of Cecil County’s goal
is to raise $365,000 by the end of the year, according
to Robin Spurdle, its executive director.
The United Way and other charities are nervous this year because a slower economy means more people need help and fewer can afford to donate.
Spurdle says a gift in any amount can make a difference.
“A dollar a week can really work,” she said. “That’s
less than a can of soda.”
While the local United Way wants individuals to donate to the cause, they rely on businesses and their employees for much of their fundraising.
“The workplace campaign, for us, is really the bread and butter,” Spurdle said. “The workplace campaigns are sometimes going on into January.”
W.L. Gore & Associates, Union Hospital and Cecil County government just launched their campaigns, she noted, adding ATK has already reported an increase over last year.
“C&S Wholesale Grocers are doing well,” Spurdle said. When the North East food distribution center opened a couple of years ago, it promised to become involved in community fundraising efforts and Spurdle said they have not disappointed them. They encourage their employees to support charities and they match funds.
Last year’s donations paid for computer training for 360 Boys and Girls clubs members, more than 100 young people to attend Susquehanna Workforce Network’s Summer Job Fair, Fair Hill Nature Center to visit 53 kindergarten classes and scouting programs.
In addition, Meeting Ground, Cecil County Men’s Shelter and other organizations provided assistance to dozens of people. The American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula helped during disasters and trained 1,681 in life-saving skills. The Meals on Wheels program delivered 13,000 meals.
The local United Way board, made up of volunteers, allocates the funds to agencies, Spurdle said. These local residents know their community and enable United Way of Cecil County to respond to special circumstances.
They needed to crunch numbers when decreased state funding threatened the county’s Family Visitation Center, Spurdle said.
The Family Visitation Center provides families of Cecil County a safe haven for supervised visitation so children can visit with their non-custodian parent.
“When Howard Isenberg (executive director of Family Services) made the presentation to the United Way board, they felt strongly that this was a vital program,” she said.
United Way of Cecil County had given $19,000 for the program in 2007. The center needed almost $42,000 for 2008.
“Our own funding at United Way has suffered over the past few years, but we have a Community Impact Fund that was started when we exceeded our campaign goal several years ago,” she said. “The board all agreed that this was the perfect project.”
The board allocated $11,834 for the center and added $15,000 from the Community Impact Fund, saying that money had to be matched by other funding.
With the United Way adding extra support, the matching money was gathered in the community.
“This is a critical time with the poor economic conditions that we face,” Spurdle said. “We anticipate this winter will be especially difficult for many people in Cecil County. United Way is committed to support the programs that address the most critical needs.
To participate in the United Way of Cecil County’s Live United fundraising campaign, send donations to United Way of Cecil County, P.O. Box 342, Elkton, MD 21922-0342, call them at (410) 398-7572, e-mail at unitedwaycecil@verixon.net or visit www.unitedwaycecil.org.
The United Way and other charities are nervous this year because a slower economy means more people need help and fewer can afford to donate.
Spurdle says a gift in any amount can make a difference.
While the local United Way wants individuals to donate to the cause, they rely on businesses and their employees for much of their fundraising.
“The workplace campaign, for us, is really the bread and butter,” Spurdle said. “The workplace campaigns are sometimes going on into January.”
W.L. Gore & Associates, Union Hospital and Cecil County government just launched their campaigns, she noted, adding ATK has already reported an increase over last year.
“C&S Wholesale Grocers are doing well,” Spurdle said. When the North East food distribution center opened a couple of years ago, it promised to become involved in community fundraising efforts and Spurdle said they have not disappointed them. They encourage their employees to support charities and they match funds.
Last year’s donations paid for computer training for 360 Boys and Girls clubs members, more than 100 young people to attend Susquehanna Workforce Network’s Summer Job Fair, Fair Hill Nature Center to visit 53 kindergarten classes and scouting programs.
In addition, Meeting Ground, Cecil County Men’s Shelter and other organizations provided assistance to dozens of people. The American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula helped during disasters and trained 1,681 in life-saving skills. The Meals on Wheels program delivered 13,000 meals.
The local United Way board, made up of volunteers, allocates the funds to agencies, Spurdle said. These local residents know their community and enable United Way of Cecil County to respond to special circumstances.
They needed to crunch numbers when decreased state funding threatened the county’s Family Visitation Center, Spurdle said.
The Family Visitation Center provides families of Cecil County a safe haven for supervised visitation so children can visit with their non-custodian parent.
“When Howard Isenberg (executive director of Family Services) made the presentation to the United Way board, they felt strongly that this was a vital program,” she said.
United Way of Cecil County had given $19,000 for the program in 2007. The center needed almost $42,000 for 2008.
“Our own funding at United Way has suffered over the past few years, but we have a Community Impact Fund that was started when we exceeded our campaign goal several years ago,” she said. “The board all agreed that this was the perfect project.”
The board allocated $11,834 for the center and added $15,000 from the Community Impact Fund, saying that money had to be matched by other funding.
With the United Way adding extra support, the matching money was gathered in the community.
“This is a critical time with the poor economic conditions that we face,” Spurdle said. “We anticipate this winter will be especially difficult for many people in Cecil County. United Way is committed to support the programs that address the most critical needs.
To participate in the United Way of Cecil County’s Live United fundraising campaign, send donations to United Way of Cecil County, P.O. Box 342, Elkton, MD 21922-0342, call them at (410) 398-7572, e-mail at unitedwaycecil@verixon.net or visit www.unitedwaycecil.org.
