A $4.25 million goal was announced Friday during the kickoff for the 2016 Bartholomew County United Way community campaign.
That’s $10,000 more than what was raised during last year’s campaign.
“It’s a big number, but this community has always been very generous with time and money,” said Mark Stewart, president of the United Way of Bartholomew County.
While attending the fifth annual charity kickoff event at Amazing Joe’s restaurant, Stewart noted the 250 luncheon tickets sold in advance was up about 25 percent from last year’s attendance.
Stewart said he believes many people come to the luncheon because they know all proceeds are donated to the United Way.
But a bigger reason is that the 22 local nonprofits supported by the United Way include many long-established and popular and organizations, ranging from the Foundation For Youth to Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, Stewart said.
“When you think about it, the money we raise just allows each of those agencies to fulfill the missions they perform wonderfully and are so passionate about,” Stewart said.
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The 2016 Bartholomew County United Way Community Campaign, which opened Friday, has set a campaign goal of $4.25 million.
Below are totals raised for the past five campaigns:
2015 – $4.24 million
2014 – $4.2 million
2013 – $4.08 million
2012 – $4 million
2011 – $3.8 million
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