The United Way of Bartholomew County has raised a total of $613,574 for its COVID-19 Relief Fund launched 13 months ago. With that money, it has helped 4,549 people amid the pandemic, with many getting financial help within a few days of their request.
The bulk of people at 2,041 received food assistance.
Those are among the overarching statistics in the United Way’s recently released online annual report. For the second straight year, the nonprofit that reaches nearly a third of Bartholomew County’s 83,000 residents was forced to forgo its in-person annual meeting because of the novel coronavirus.
United Way earlier announced its success of exceeding its campaign goal of $4 million.
In a taped message presented on the agency’s YouTube.com channel, United Way President Mark Stewart acknowledged that adversity was readily apparent for many residents who lost jobs or their health for a time.
"Many of those helped never needed to ask for assistance before," Stewart said.
He added that he wished United Way could hold an in-person gathering at The Commons as it normally does this time of year. And he said he wished supporters could thank the 17 member agencies’ above-and-beyond efforts with "thunderous applause," as he put it.
He highlighted a number of agencies "selfless" efforts since the pandemic began. He included Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center’s commitment to serving clients by being open seven days per work since March 2020. And Stewart saluted Children Inc. remaining open throughout the pandemic to provide much-needed child care especially for frontline workers serving Bartholomew County.
He praised the Su Casa of Columbus staff for its outreach to the hard-hit Latino community.
"2020 was a difficult year," Stewart said. "It was hard for everyone.
"However, we live in an amazing community. And I am humbled by the generous support we received to carry out our mission."
Part of that mission includes supporting the work of 32 total programs ranging from youth mentoring to bolstering jobs skills to senior exercise and brain health.
Lisa Shafran, president of the Columbus-based Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, said "the staff at Turning Point really turned on a dime to make sure that we could continue to provide the same services to our clients as we had been providing pre-COVID. I’m very proud of the fact that our shelter remained open through this entire time period."
Shafran mentioned that COVID-19 relief fund money helped her agency purchase personal protective equipment for staff at its residential facility for much-needed safety amid the virus. Plus, relief fund dollars made it possible for the agency to maintain a quarantine house in case shelter clients needed to be quarantined.
Shafran added that, consequently, the Turning Point staff is very grateful to the community’s donations that made the relief fund possible.
"It certainly made a very difficult time much easier," she said.
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- Give Award: Pat and Diane Ward, longtime United Way donors whom United Way President Mark Stewart labeled as "inspiring" and great volunteers.
- Corporate Give Award: Enkei America Inc., called "incredibly community-minded" — so much so that the company increased its annual campaign by 12 percent this year. Plus, Enkei boasts the highest employee participation rate of any major corporate partner. "I think this says a lot about the company and the compassion of their associates," said Whittney Loyd, United Way’s resource development director.
- Volunteer of the Year Award: Mary Beth Wert, a regular financial donor since 1979, and a volunteer with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program that prepares for free the taxes of "some of our most vulnerable neighbors," said Cheryl Monroe, Volunteer Action Center director. United Way labeled her support "unbelievable."
- Advocate of the Year Award: Jenni Carr, saluted for advancing United Way’s impact and mission in both her personal and professional circles. Carr said she has long been impressed with United Way’s collaboration and teamwork across the community.
- Live United Award: Columbus Regional Health and its employees, saluted for "their tireless work that propelled us past the pandemic," according to United Way leaders.
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10,024
People getting access to health care through all United Way agencies and programs
1,615
People who received housing assistance from the COVID-19 Relief Fund
412
Children receiving support from early childhood services
3,838
People receiving basic needs such as food, clothing or shelter from United Way and their partner agencies
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