Joan Donnell has developed a passion for working with United Way, having been a direct recipient of the altruism the organization extends through its programs.

This year’s United Way of Island County Community Investment Campaign Chair, Donnell’s first child was born with spina bifida and at an early age was greatly helped by the Toddler Learning Center.

“The Toddler Learning Center is one of the programs we support,” Donnell said. “We have 20 agencies just like that. Many of these agencies rely on United Way funding in order to provide key services to people with nowhere else to turn. That’s my personal commitment.”

The campaign chair has started her second year in the position.

“I’m hoping to build on what I learned last year,” the seasoned fundraiser said.

For more than 35 years, the United Way of Island County has focused on what matters most: programs that help children and youth succeed, support for vulnerable and aging populations, and strengthening and supporting families.

The United Way’s community investment goal this year is $330,000, which will support the myriad programs operated by trusted, local nonprofit organizations.

“This year, with many agencies being affected by the tight national and state economy, and because many of us are facing tighter personal finances as well, your participation is appreciated more than ever,” Donnell said as a message to the community at large. “Only with your help can we work together to create and maintain the safe and healthy communities that we all desire.”

A healthy community is critical to economic development and community growth, Donnell said. United Way is a collective power of people working together toward long-term solutions, not short-term fixes.

“Your donation is an investment in our community that will be used wisely to benefit our own local residents,” she said. “The United Way is the very best way to support the broadest possible community needs.”

Over the last several years, United Way has been working on two initiatives: Early Learning and 2-1-1. This year the board of United Way has named a new initiative of reducing mental illness and substance abuse in Island County. A mental health forum will be held next month to examine the strengths and weaknesses in the community around the mental health system.

United Way of Island County will also be implanting a new giving program this year called “Community Builders.” Individuals and families that increase their previous year’s pledge by at least 10 percent will be included in the program.

“We encourage business leaders and colleagues, neighbors and friends to support the United Way and the community in any way they can,” said Cathy Niiro, United Way of Island County executive director, in a press release. “And we thank the community for joining us in helping the United Way of Island County in its efforts to improve lives and build a healthy community.”

United Way of Island County also contracts with the federal community at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station to administer the Combined Federal Campaign for the county. The CFC is the only authorized solicitation of employees in the federal workplace on behalf of charitable organizations. It continues to be the largest and most successful workplace fund-raising model in the world. Capt. Thomas Tack, this year’s CFC chairman, and the local federal coordinating committee have set their fund-raising goal at $385,000.

A family resource guide compiled and disseminated by the local branch of the United Way is available at locations throughout the community. The comprehensive guide is an invaluable resource, Donnell said.

“They go very fast,” she said. “If anybody has any kind of need, we get one of those in their hands.”

For more information about how to make a donation or where to pick up a family resource guide, call 675-1778.