United Way hurries to meet its goal; Campaign set to wrap up Nov. 15

United Way of Island County is busy raising funds for its 2010 fall campaign, hoping to reach a downsized goal of $275,000 in an economy that remains troubled. Last year, the organization fell about $25,000 short of its $300,000 target, so this year a more modest goal is in place.

November 5, 2010 5:02 pm
Two-year-old Ezra Jaramillo claps happily at the Toddler Learning Center in Oak Harbor. The center is one of United Way’s partner agencies for 2010. At the center children receive services such as occupational and physical therapys
Two-year-old Ezra Jaramillo claps happily at the Toddler Learning Center in Oak Harbor. The center is one of United Way’s partner agencies for 2010. At the center children receive services such as occupational and physical therapys

United Way of Island County is busy raising funds for its 2010 fall campaign, hoping to reach a downsized goal of $275,000 in an economy that remains troubled.

Last year, the organization fell about $25,000 short of its $300,000 target, so this year a more modest goal is in place.

The 2010 campaign was launched Sept. 1 and ends Nov. 15, though money will be accepted after the campaign wraps up. So far United Way has received just under $93,000 in donations with a large portion of that coming from the Employee Community Fund Boeing. Now the organization is working on its corporate campaign seeking donations from businesses and employees through payroll.

United Way of Island County was established about 40 years ago. Each year the organization spends fall months raising money for its partner agencies that are accepted through a grant application process the previous spring.

For 2010, United Way is supporting 16 partner agencies including organizations like the Toddler Learning Center, Habitat for Humanity of Island County, Citizens Against Domestic and Sexual Abuse and Senior Services of Island County. The money is given to the agencies the following year according to how much they requested in their grant and a few other factors. United Way volunteers visit each of the agencies and review their budgets and outcomes to ensure that they are truly making a difference in the community and that people’s donations are falling into the right hands.

Executive Director Cathy Niiro said the grant application process serves as a seal of approval.

“An outside source has been looking at the work the agencies do and has been making sure they’re doing good work,” she said. “Our agencies work very hard, and they’re very passionate about what they do.”

Niiro said there is an increasing need this year. She said many of the agencies are noticing an upsurge in requests from residents needing help paying for rent and utilities, and all the while many of the agencies are suffering budget cuts themselves.

“Any donation, as small as it is, makes a difference,” Niiro said.

Being located in a rural area like Whidbey makes raising money more difficult because of the smaller businesses here.

“The challenge for us is that we don’t have big work campaigns or big corporations like our counterparts in other areas,” Niiro said. “So that’s our challenge. We’re more dependent on the generosity of our good neighbors unit; the corporate dollar we just don’t have.”

Niiro is hopeful that the $275,000 goal will be reached as money usually comes in toward the end of campaigns. Recently United Way workers made visits to Comcast, US Bank and Whidbey Island Bank and are still waiting to hear from the city, the school districts, Whidbey General Hospital and other large organizations.

“It just takes time for everything to funnel down to us,” Niiro said.

The Combined Federal Campaign, which federal employees can donate to, has a $360,000 goal this year. The federal campaign serves as an outlet for federal employees, like those employed by Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, whose donations are federally regulated. The campaign is separate from Island County’s $275,000 goal. Niiro estimated that between 20 and 30 percent of the federal funds stay local, but said the donations are spread nationwide.

In order to get involved, people can visit the organizations website at www.unitedwayic.org and download a pledge card or look at the volunteer opportunities posted. Niiro said the organization is always looking for board members and volunteers for the community investment team. The United Way of Island County office is located at 350 SE Pioneer Way, Suite 101. According to its website, the United Way of Island County’s administrative costs are about 16 percent.