United Way says campaign falling short -- one last appeal in offing

Friday, May 11, 2018
Joe Buser

In 1887, a Denver woman, a priest, two ministers and a rabbi recognized the need for cooperative action to address their city’s welfare problems. They put their heads together to plan the first united campaign for 10 health and welfare agencies. They raised $21,700 and started an organization that has lasted more than 130 years.

All of these years later, the United Way of Putnam County still strives to provide project and program funding for 12 local human service agencies.

“The member agencies that focus on our three pillar areas of education, health and immediate need are our priorities as we wind down our 2017-2018 campaign,” Joe Buser, executive director of the United Way of Putnam County, said.

“We aren’t to the level we had hoped to be this year. We set our goal for 2017-18 at $120,000. We knew it was a very aggressive goal but we felt we wanted to set the goal that was something to reach for. Somehow we need to get to the point where the United Way of Putnam County isn’t just a three- or four-month campaign, it needs to be a year-round endeavor,” Buser continued.

“This campaign is so important to our communities,” he added. “It’s nice to know that the money raised by the United Way really does stay where it’s needed – right here in Putnam County.”

However, there is still a cause for celebration.

“We do still think it’s a celebration for our communities,” he said. “The work is not done. We are going to make every effort possible to raise the amount of money that we want to commit to the agencies.

“Because if we don’t, the agencies are going to miss out on some funding, miss out on some programming that they want to do for the community.”

UWPC member agencies include: Beyond Homeless, The Lakeland Center, Johnson/Nichols Health Clinic, Putnam County Comprehensive Services, Senior Citizen Center, Family Support Services, Putnam County Youth Development, Reading Improvement Program, Summer Enrichment Program Imagination Library and Transformers.

Business Leadership Circle members include: Scorpion Coatings, First National Bank, Teacher’s Credit Union, Old National Bank, Walmart Distribution and Eli Lilly.

Leadership Circle members include: John and Ellen Dittmer, Mike and Susie Harmless, Gary and Susan Lemon, John and Whitney Morrill and Tom and Betty Graffis.

“We thank our business and leadership circle members for their generosity in supporting this vital programs that benefit all residents of Putnam County,” Buser said.

Persons who would like to assist in making a difference in lives may contact Buser at 653-5638, or joe@unitedwayofputnamcounty.

“There is still time left this year to help us meet our commitment,” Buser concluded. “Any gift large or small will be appreciated by many.”

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  • So how short are they of this goal?

    -- Posted by canttakeitanymore on Sat, May 12, 2018, at 10:45 AM
  • If the goal was not yet reached, it was not due to lack of effort on Joe Buser's part. He worked tirelessly on this campaign all year long, and had very little help from board members. Come on people...if you join a board, you MUST make an effort to volunteer at least once in a blue moon. Your executive director cannot do it alone.

    Kudos to Joe for all of of his hard work.

    -- Posted by somethingtotalkabout on Mon, May 14, 2018, at 9:42 AM
  • Thank you somethingtotalkabout, but we all have been working very hard. The United Way must be an entire community effort. Together, we can exceed our goal this year and for many years to come. We live in a great community and I have faith we can come together and make a difference in all of those we serve.

    -- Posted by joebuser on Mon, May 14, 2018, at 6:41 PM
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