From the June 8th Edition of The County Journal www.county-journal.com
The 2011-12 campaign proved to be most challenging inEaton County United Way’s history where our biggest concern was how much cut in funding programs would impact our partner agencies.
With a goal of raising $230,000 we have contended with the down-sizing of participating organizations while concurrently, having our agencies maintain services for vulnerable residents, the recent unemployed and underemployed. With all the challenges we faced, one thing we are proud of are the efforts made from both donors and our funded agency partners.
Thanks to all our contributors and two of the area’s largest employers – Spartan Motors, Meridian Magnesium who have gone beyond the call of duty to support Eaton County’s health and human service “safety net”. We are truly blessed by the traditional capacity of local residents caring about their community.
We are also grateful for the work of our volunteer board panel who found it rewarding facilitating the charitable dollars from donors distributed to healthandhuman service programs that will ensure our community needsaremet. Last year the grant panel reviewed dozens of programs from 12 nonprofits who serve Eaton county residents. These programs focus on Education, Income and Health.
The following agencies that received grants for 2012 include: Mobile Meals of Charlotte, Housing Services forEatonCounty, Barry Eaton District Health Department, SIREN/Eaton Shelter, Heart & Hands,EatonRapidsSeniorCenter, CASA for Kids,EatonFurniture & ClothingCenter, Boy Scouts of America Chief Okemos Council, Eaton County Youth Facility and KEYS from Eaton ISD. The agencies went through a comprehensive application requiring not only financialsandaudits, but program objectivesandintended outcomes. The agencies staff and volunteer board had the opportunity to meet and interview with the panelists.
The end result isallabout the impactandthe difference these dollars will make for someone in critical need.
While campaign dollars have declined over the last four years it is important to know how grateful we are to our loyal donors who have helped us through this transitional period.
We are looking forward to the 2012 Fall Drive to increase our campaign efforts and outreach with the goal to meet and exceed funded programs for our agency partners.