United Way hopes to round up donations to $900,000
Published 12:01 am Wednesday, March 6, 2013
PORT ANGELES — The United Way fundraising campaign team and board members hope to round up to $900,000 by the end of the annual fund drive March 31.
They are asking the community to pitch in another $5,462 to bring the total up from its present $894,538, said Jody Moss, United Way executive director.
“It’s not our goal,” Moss said. “But it would be nice to get $900,000, just to hit that high point.”
The 2012 campaign goal was $1,060,000 in honor of the organization’s 60th anniversary.
That was perhaps unrealistic, Moss said, but she added that the amount donated so far this year already exceeds the 2011 campaign total of $883,000.
Great Beginnings
Funds are distributed monthly to 24 nonprofits, called partner agencies, throughout the year and are used to fund United Way’s Great Beginnings early learning projects.
“The focus for all United Way partners is to build a healthier community helping everyone — children, individuals, families and businesses — thrive,” Moss said.
“When those in our community who struggle do better, we all do better.”
On Friday, 110 people gathered to celebrate the work of all the volunteers, employers and donors who helped United Way raise funds in the 2012 campaign.
The annual fund drive comprised a number of different campaigns, such as a mail campaign to all county homes; employer campaigns in Sequim, Port Angeles, Forks and Clallam Bay/Sekiu; and the Washington State Combined Fund Drive for local state employees.
“Each year, volunteers, many of whom also have full-time jobs, take time to organize the United Way campaign in their community or their business,” Moss said.
The 2012 campaign was chaired by retired Port Angeles School District administrator Mary Ann Unger.
Her campaign cabinet and the totals raised are:
■ Port Angeles: Teresa Brandon, $190,529 from 597 donors.
■ Sequim: $236,393 from 518 donors.
■ Forks: Pat Soderlind, $30,307 from 222 donors.
■ Employee campaigns: Buck Gieseke, $91,972 from 267 donors.
■ County campaigns: Patty Rosand and Iva Burks, $24,688 from 47 donors.
■ Washington State Combined Fund Drive: Nina Pitts, $15,584.
■ Corporate gifts: Norm Schaaf, $47,284 from 30 businesses.
■ Olympic Medical Center: Julie Sell and Rich Newman, $116,518 donated to United Way and OMC Charities by 544 donors.
■ Clallam Bay/Sekiu: Patricia Hutson, $2,145 from 14 donors.
■ Joyce: Dave Bingham, $2,120 from 15 donors.
United Way also recognized “leadership donors,” those who give $500 or more. In the 2012 campaign, 308 individuals, couples and businesses participated, giving a total of $590,316.
To donate, contact the United Way Office at 360-457-3011 or pay through PayPal at www.unitedwayclallam.org.
The office is at 102½ E. First St., No. 3.
