United Way of Monroe County volunteers, workplace supporters, and community members celebrated the beginning of the 2016-2017 “Empowering Your Community. One Donation at a Time.” fundraising campaign during a luncheon Wednesday, September 28th at Fountain Square Ballroom.
Attendees were inspired by the story of Jamie, a child, similar to many in the community, who wants to succeed, but faces many obstacles. Like 41% of local children, Jamie qualifies for the free and reduced lunch program and his family struggles to make ends meet. Three United Way member agency directors spoke about how their agencies, with the support of donors and other member agencies, help Jamie and his family get on the path to success.
Funds raised during the campaign remain local to support effective programs strengthening the building blocks of a better life – Education, Earnings, and the Essentials. United Way works with 26 member agencies and many other community partners to help everyone in the community learn more, earn more, and lead a safer and healthier life. Each donation is vital – every dollar helps provide local people and their families with opportunties to improve their education, increase their economic mobility, and have access to life’s essentials like housing, food, health care, and help during a crisis. United Way supports programs designed to improve the community in the long-run, while also helping community members get back on their feet today.
Mark Voland, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters described the meaningful impact United Way makes in educational growth and opportunities for all students in Monroe County. Voland said, “We see the lives of children being turned around every day, because one person steps forward to be a champion for that child. And every child deserves to have a champion in their life, someone who will help them find that spark and reach their potential.”
Erin Predmore, Executive Director of Monroe County United Ministries shared with the audience the challenges many families like Jamie’s face while trying to make ends meet. Predmore stated, “We believe that ALL children, regardless of family income, deserve a great start in life. So we invest in the children of our community’s workers. We make sure that their economic situation doesn’t keep them from a life of success. At the same time, we’re working with families and individuals to set their own priorities, plan for their future, and to help them become self-sufficient. When you donate to United Way, you can be part of that success.”
Kerry Conway, Executive Director of Area 10 Agency on Aging illuminated the difficulties faced by many of Monroe County’s senior citizens. Conway said, “Two-thirds of those over 60 in Monroe and Owen counties have some chronic health issues. United Way plays a vital role in supporting, not only kids like Jamie, but also extended families. This allows for kids to benefit from positive interaction with grandparents and to have good role models on planning for aging in place. Area 10 is supported not just by direct United Way funding, but also by partnerships with other member agencies. Many of the grants we receive limit services and to whom we can offer services. Your local United Way donation is the mortar that holds the infrastructure of service in place. Your United Way donation allows us to say “How can we help?” rather than “What do you qualify for?”.
United Way Campaign Chair and Downtown Bloomington Inc., Executive Director, Talisha Coppock, discussed the meaningful way each of us can empower our community by giving back. Coppock stated, “Downtown Bloomington Inc. knows what we as a community can accomplish when we pull together. We work with many varied interests to create a safe and hospitable environment, an active prosperous place for business and employees, as well as a vibrant center for cultural and artistic expression for our residents. United Way is a long-time member of Downtown Bloomington Inc. Their strength and involvement is crucial in supporting our community. United Way makes a difference every day in lives by strengthening the building blocks of a better life – Education, Earnings and Essentials. We all know people who work hard but still struggle to make ends meet at the end of the month to pay rent and put food on the table. Giving to United Way is the single best way to help the most people in our community. They work year round in a coordinated approach to help those in need get back and stay on their feet. This makes for a stronger community.”
In his closing statements, United Way Executive Director Barry Lessow remarked on the lasting impact United Way of Monroe County continues to make: “We all struggle in different ways. That’s part of life. But when people are trying as hard as they can, working multiple jobs, juggling calendars and unreliable transportation, something is likely to break. We don’t want it to come to that. So we make sure it doesn’t. We are there for seniors who have worked their entire lives. For the people working 40, 50, 60 hours a week who still can’t make ends meet. And for the kids, who just know that mom and dad are scared a lot. Our 26 member agencies are there to relieve that fear, but also to deal with the circumstances that created it so it doesn’t come back, and – whenever possible – to stop it before it starts. Even more important is that our agencies are there to help that family build hope, to empower them with the attitude, knowledge, and skills to achieve their dreams, and to build people’s confidence in themselves and in their community.”
Lessow reiterated how much good even the smallest donation can accomplish. He stated, “Every dollar we raise helps United Way fight for the health, education, and financial stability of everyone who lives here... YOU are the key to making sure we, together, can empower every person in our community... one donation at a time.”
Campaign Leadership was recognized during the event. Talisha Coppock, Downtown Bloomington Inc. Executive Director, will serve as the Campaign Chair. She will be joined by Vanguard Co-Chairs, Jim Grandorf, Indiana University Kelley School of Business Clinical Professor, and Mark Franklin, German American Bank Region President.
The Mary Alice Gray Memorial Award for extraordinary volunteer service was presented to Mark Franklin, Region President of German American Bank. In addition to his volunteer work as a Vanguard Leadership Co-Chair, Franklin previously served as the United Way Board Treasurer and President, and he spearheaded several programs including the Loaned Executive Program, Priority Funds, and United Way’s education and financial stability initiatives in Owen County.
To see how donations are hard at work throughout the year, visit www.monroeunitedway.org/MyImpact.
Those who wish to join United Way in helping people empower the community can visit United Way’s web site at www.monroeunitedway.org and securely donate online via credit card. Donors can also download a pledge card and contribute in the form of cash, check, credit card, automatic bank withdrawal, stocks and securities, or can choose to be billed. Those participating in workplace campaigns can contribute via payroll deduction.
