By Tim Arnett
WABASH,Indiana – Residents of Wabash may have noticed that the United Fund campaign board on the lawn of the courthouse was taken down on Wednesday, showing only 80% of the $250,000 goal reached. MiBash News contacted Steve Johnson, Executive Director of the Wabash County United Fund, to ask him if it is unusual to apparently not reach the organization’s campaign goal for the season – especially considering that the Miami County United Way reached their campaign goal back in December.
Johnson stated that things have changed over the years when it comes to United Fund fundraising efforts. In day past, the fall campaign would only run between Thanksgiving and Christmas and certainly not last until the beginning of March. But these days, he explained, the organization’s campaign to raise funds lasts all year, mainly because of payroll deduction programs. Many of these companies that use payroll contributions – which represent about 60% of the money the United Fund receives – have switched to a spring schedule that begins on a fiscal year and not a calendar year. Thus, the United Fund doesn’t always hear from those businesses until early summer.
Johnson also called the $250,000 campaign goal a little ambitious, and stated that the monetary goal set by the Miami County United Way was much less than the United Fund in Wabash County. But he said that, despite the fact that the board was taken down, the local organization has not given up on reaching 100% of the $250,000 campaign goal.
Johnson added that the sign on the Wabash County Courthouse kept blowing down during these winter months which was another reason it was removed last Wednesday. He went on to say that the same sign will be put up next fall but with a beefed-up structure so that it will be more secure on windy days.
Many county residents do not know that the 2-1-1 program allows individuals to call in to get get help from county organizations on everything from paying their rent to the location of food pantries. The local program, Johnson stated, is funded through the City of Wabash, the Town of North Manchester and Wabash County, all of whom split the cost. The United Fund helps gets local organizations on board and acts as a liaison to the operators to disseminated the information. Information on Wabash County 2-1-1 can be found at www.myunitedway2-1-1.org.