Local United Way Exceeds $1 Million Goal
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Santa Claus came a little early for Kosciusko County United Way this year.
Community residents reached the goal of $1 million for the organization.
"(It's) very satisfying," said Kevin Deardorff, 1999 United Way campaign chairman. "It's really a reflection of the community. This is really a caring and giving community."
He said this year's campaign began in January. "I think it's key to start early," he said.
After Deardorff was named as campaign chairman, a campaign cabinet was formed and they, in turn, sought more volunteers to help them. One difference this year from previous years, Deardorff said, was that chief executive officers of companies also were involved early so the United Way could let them know the plans for the campaign this year.
"It takes a lot of organization skills on behalf of the campaign chairman," said United Way Executive Director Sandra L. Mafera. "I've worked with 18 different campaign chairmen. Kevin Deardorff has been absolutely the best of 18. He's done an absolutely wonderful job. ... From the staff perspective, this has been a joyful year."
Besides having a good chairman, one key to the annual campaign is the pacesetters. "They set the pace, they get things going," Deardorff said. "Our pacesetters did an incredible job, led by Zimmer."
The other pacesetters this year include Home Health Care, Lake City Bank, Bertsch Vending and R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.
Pacesetters run their campaigns from July through Labor Day, according to Deardorff.
Every company has an internal campaign to raise money. The companies provide a challenge and/or incentives for their employees to give to United Way.
The general campaign then picks up after Labor Day and runs through Halloween.
"One of the keys to success in the campaign is the key leaders," Mafera said. Within the participating companies, they come up with ideas to help raise the money. They work with a team that also "makes sure employees get a chance to learn about United Way so they know where the dollars go," Mafera said. The key leaders also collect the pledge cards, make sure they're correct and turn them over to the United Way.
With the key leaders' help, United Way knows day by day, hour by hour, where they are toward their goal. The key leader of the year for 1999 is Terry Schlotterback of Zimmer.
Mafera said the $1.1 million raised shows the community knows the United Way is a good steward of their dollars. The money the community gives is not wasted, she said.
Of the money raised, only 4 cents of every dollar pays for United Way staff, building rental and other office needs, Mafera said. The rest is given to the 26 agencies they help financially. Forty-four programs are supported through the 26 agencies.
"One of the things I guess I see is large companies, even small companies, and industries appreciate the fact that United Way makes the charitable decisions ... their employees benefit from a corporate gift," Mafera said.
Deardorff said United Way provides a service to companies in that the United Way lets them know where their donor dollars are best spent to make the biggest impact in the community.
"If I give my money to United Way, I know they are making those decisions," he said, "and are impacting the community."
Mafera said, "I think it feels good - you know your dollars stay in the community."
Agencies the United Way helps include organizations like Combined Community Services, American Red Cross and the Beaman Home.
"Our goal," Deardorff said, "is to raise funds so those organizations can do what they do best and not worry about funds."
Deardorff said United Way is a countywide organization. "We don't fund any organization 100 percent. Each organization is responsible to fund a portion. But the service organizations will probably tell you that without the United Way, they would not survive."
"We assist with the operating costs of an agency," Mafera said, "whether that's product or people. What United Way doesn't do is provide brick and mortar."
She said for agencies to receive money, they have to give a presentation to the United Way and prepare a budget on how they will spend the money. The United Way also requires them to give quarterly reports of their activities and be a part of the United Way Administrative Council. The council meets once a month with all of the United Way agency heads to share how they can best work together.
"It's a wonderful way to get the best for our dollars," Mafera said.
"They're held very accountable," Deardorff said.
He said, "With the United Way, I can guarantee that the money stays here. ... That's what makes United Way different."
The first goal of $74,668.71 was set in 1958 to support 11 agencies. Robert Ellison started the United Way in Kosciusko County the same year. The United Way was founded in 1884. [[In-content Ad]]
Santa Claus came a little early for Kosciusko County United Way this year.
Community residents reached the goal of $1 million for the organization.
"(It's) very satisfying," said Kevin Deardorff, 1999 United Way campaign chairman. "It's really a reflection of the community. This is really a caring and giving community."
He said this year's campaign began in January. "I think it's key to start early," he said.
After Deardorff was named as campaign chairman, a campaign cabinet was formed and they, in turn, sought more volunteers to help them. One difference this year from previous years, Deardorff said, was that chief executive officers of companies also were involved early so the United Way could let them know the plans for the campaign this year.
"It takes a lot of organization skills on behalf of the campaign chairman," said United Way Executive Director Sandra L. Mafera. "I've worked with 18 different campaign chairmen. Kevin Deardorff has been absolutely the best of 18. He's done an absolutely wonderful job. ... From the staff perspective, this has been a joyful year."
Besides having a good chairman, one key to the annual campaign is the pacesetters. "They set the pace, they get things going," Deardorff said. "Our pacesetters did an incredible job, led by Zimmer."
The other pacesetters this year include Home Health Care, Lake City Bank, Bertsch Vending and R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.
Pacesetters run their campaigns from July through Labor Day, according to Deardorff.
Every company has an internal campaign to raise money. The companies provide a challenge and/or incentives for their employees to give to United Way.
The general campaign then picks up after Labor Day and runs through Halloween.
"One of the keys to success in the campaign is the key leaders," Mafera said. Within the participating companies, they come up with ideas to help raise the money. They work with a team that also "makes sure employees get a chance to learn about United Way so they know where the dollars go," Mafera said. The key leaders also collect the pledge cards, make sure they're correct and turn them over to the United Way.
With the key leaders' help, United Way knows day by day, hour by hour, where they are toward their goal. The key leader of the year for 1999 is Terry Schlotterback of Zimmer.
Mafera said the $1.1 million raised shows the community knows the United Way is a good steward of their dollars. The money the community gives is not wasted, she said.
Of the money raised, only 4 cents of every dollar pays for United Way staff, building rental and other office needs, Mafera said. The rest is given to the 26 agencies they help financially. Forty-four programs are supported through the 26 agencies.
"One of the things I guess I see is large companies, even small companies, and industries appreciate the fact that United Way makes the charitable decisions ... their employees benefit from a corporate gift," Mafera said.
Deardorff said United Way provides a service to companies in that the United Way lets them know where their donor dollars are best spent to make the biggest impact in the community.
"If I give my money to United Way, I know they are making those decisions," he said, "and are impacting the community."
Mafera said, "I think it feels good - you know your dollars stay in the community."
Agencies the United Way helps include organizations like Combined Community Services, American Red Cross and the Beaman Home.
"Our goal," Deardorff said, "is to raise funds so those organizations can do what they do best and not worry about funds."
Deardorff said United Way is a countywide organization. "We don't fund any organization 100 percent. Each organization is responsible to fund a portion. But the service organizations will probably tell you that without the United Way, they would not survive."
"We assist with the operating costs of an agency," Mafera said, "whether that's product or people. What United Way doesn't do is provide brick and mortar."
She said for agencies to receive money, they have to give a presentation to the United Way and prepare a budget on how they will spend the money. The United Way also requires them to give quarterly reports of their activities and be a part of the United Way Administrative Council. The council meets once a month with all of the United Way agency heads to share how they can best work together.
"It's a wonderful way to get the best for our dollars," Mafera said.
"They're held very accountable," Deardorff said.
He said, "With the United Way, I can guarantee that the money stays here. ... That's what makes United Way different."
The first goal of $74,668.71 was set in 1958 to support 11 agencies. Robert Ellison started the United Way in Kosciusko County the same year. The United Way was founded in 1884. [[In-content Ad]]