Local United Way to try last-minute effort to meet ’09 fundraising goal

Mitchell United Way is pursuing a last-minute push, through an unusual approach, to get the organization up to its 2009 fundraising goal.

Down by $20,000 and citing a difficult economic atmosphere, the United Way is urging area residents to contribute at a special drive from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Corn Palace, where either Executive Director Dave Stevens or a board member will accept donations, said Marilyn Wilson, campaign chairwoman.

The Mitchell chapter has never missed its goal.

“This is the largest deficit we have faced,” said Wilson. “We have some ground to make up. I am hoping we will make that goal.”

United Way set a campaign goal of $446,000, which is 3 percent lower than last year. The annual fundraising drive kicked off Aug. 19.

Funds raised by United Way are distributed to 27 local agencies, including Salvation Army, YWCA, American Red Cross and Meals on Wheels. For some recipient groups, United Way dollars are their only annual income.

Wilson said United Way has made special pleas to the community previously, but none included a specific location for extra donations.

“Economic conditions this year are certainly contributing to that,” she said. “Because of economic conditions, there is a greater need.”

The Corn Palace is the ideal site because of its visibility in Mitchell and parking, Stevens said. Area residents will have the option of dropping off a donation or walking inside to do so, he said.

“If someone wants to drive up and help us with the campaign, we will be there to help take their money,” Stevens said.

Stevens said United Way wants to give residents who didn’t contribute another chance to do so. It’ll also be a chance for those who already have donated to perhaps give again.

“The fact that we’re down a little bit speaks to the generosity of the people in Mitchell,” he said. “We would like to complete our goal so we can fund agencies at the level we would like to.”

Agencies are experiencing more requests for services, Wilson said.

Love Feast, a volunteer organization that provides meals twice a month, has encountered an increase in the number of meals served from 320 at the start of 2009 to 370, Chairwoman Carol Hasz said.

The group’s annual Back to School Program also saw a rise this year, with 345 backpacks with school supplies and shoe vouchers distributed. That’s up 100 from 2008, she said.

“Everybody is having some tough times and we are there for them,” Hasz said.

An awards luncheon is slated for Nov. 13. Ideally, campaign officials would like to wrap up donations by Nov. 12, but will still accept them after that date, Stevens said.

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