By Keith Gushard
MEADVILLE TRIBUNE
MEADVILLE —
United Way of Western Crawford County hasn’t set a dollar amount goal for 2010 as yet.
“Our goal is to raise as much money as possible for our member agencies,” Sandra Rossi told a crowd of 75 at the campaign’s kickoff breakfast in Meadville Tuesday.
“We’re still talking about officially setting a goal,” said Rossi, the local United Way’s chief professional officer.
Last year, the campaign raised $350,000 — about $50,000 short of its goal of $400,000.
The local campaign, which annually runs from late summer through the end of the year, hasn’t officially set a goal yet because it has fallen short of their goals for the past several years, Rossi said. She said some United Ways around the country have abandoned the practice of setting a goal while others still use it.
“We think we can raise about $360,000 (for 2010)” Rossi said.
“I think that’s part of it,” Rossi said when asked if not setting a goal was tied to perception of not achieving it.
“It’s going to be a struggle,” Rossi said. “We’ll be where we’d like to be if we raise more money than last year.”
A down economy also doesn’t help, according to Rossi.
“It’s hard to ask people for money when they may be hurting themselves,” she said.
The United Way provides funding to about 20 different local non-profit organizations that offer everything from disaster aid to mentoring children to food and utility help.
To aid in the local campaign, the United Way will be doing a marketing program utilizing more local people, she said.
“We have an endowment grant to market the United Way,” she said. “It’s a restricted grant. We’re not allowed to use it toward the campaign goal or agency expenses.”
The local campaign kickoff also honored Duane Koller of Meadville for his more than 20 years of service to the United Way, including service as campaign chairman, volunteer and a volunteer board member.
Koller reminded the audience the agencies provide all kinds of essential services to people in need — making the Meadville and western Crawford County area a better place to live.
Asked why he has worked with the United Way for so many year and in so many roles, Koller said, “It makes for a whole community.”
“I believe in the United Way — always have and always will,” he said. “Meadville is a community where we get stuff done for others, and United Way is an example of that.”
Inside the Tribune: Find out what local agencies get funding from the United Way
You can help
To contribute to the United Way of Western Crawford County Inc.’s 2010 campaign, visit its website at uwaywestcc.org and click on the “Give” link.
Pledges and donations also may be mailed to: United Way of Western Crawford County, P.O. Box 554, Meadville, Pa., 16335.
Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.
