As the thermometer outside dips, the makeshift thermometer measuring the progress of the United Way of Bartholomew County annual fundraising campaign rises steadily.
Ideally, United Way President Mark Stewart would like to see it campaign contributions increase a lot during the Christmas season.
The thermometer graphic, placed at various locations around Columbus over the past few months to publicize the effort, shows the campaign at $2,282,987 or 55 percent of its $4 million goal in the campaign that continues through March.
Stewart has continued emphasizing the same message he delivered at the campaign kickoff on Sept. 11: that United Way’s 17 agencies that lead 34 programs desperately need the public’s support “now more than ever before.”
“It’s certainly been a tough year,” Stewart said, referring to local business closings and layoffs because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s definitely an uphill challenge. But there’s still lots of enthusiasm in the community.”
Figures show that United Way programs reach an estimated 30 percent of Bartholomew County residents via everything from youth mentoring to senior exercise. The 2019 campaign raised $4.13 million by this spring, fourth best ever and slightly below the 2018 record mark of $4.25 million.
Stewart acknowledged that the campaign has been affected by the COVID_19 pandemic, with fundraising informational and motivational talks being delivered to company campaigns via online streams.
“Typically, we’re out in a face-to-face setting during the campaign,” Stewart said. “But I am cautiously optimistic that we can reach our goal.”
Stewart pointed out that, because of the novel coronavirus, nonprofits are being called upon to help more residents more than before. Earlier this year, for instance, staff at Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center was working seven days per week to keep up with client needs that included helping covering the cost of groceries topping the list.
Plus, phone calls among a number of United Way agencies have shown that many residents seeking help are needing such assistance for the first time in their lives here.
Kim Bennett, campaign chair and also the incoming board chair in January, has noted that other nonprofits the past few months have set records in fundraising. She acknowledged that that gives her hope.
“One thing I must say is that this community always pulls together at a time of serious need,” Bennett said.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”How to give” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Go to uwbarthco.org and click the donate button.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
