The Franklin County Area United Way is making one final push to reach its $1 million goal with a coin collection this weekend.
United Way board members and volunteers planned to collect money Friday afternoon and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the intersection of Fifth and Jefferson streets in Washington.
“This kind of effort been very profitable in the past,” said Kim Strubberg, United Way program coordinator. “In 2011, over $2,200 was collected at that location.”
As of Thursday, contributions in the countywide drive totaled $793,279, according to Paula Obermark, executive director.
“This means we are at 79.3 percent of our goal,” she said. “We have projected our final total to be $942,679, which is 94.2 percent of the goal.”
Obermark said only one Top 30 company has not reported its final numbers.
“We won’t have their total until Nov. 19,” she noted. “Of the Top 30 corporate donors, 18 are up, one is unknown, and the rest are down.”
Obermark said leadership gifts of $1,000 or more are down, but still coming in slowly.
“Phone calls will be made to those leadership givers and all others who gave last year but haven’t yet this year,” she said.
“It is still possible for us to reach our goal, but it will take the cooperation and generosity of all of those who have not yet given,” she said.
The Pasta House in Union also will hold a “Dine Out for United Way” Wednesday, Nov. 14. Pasta House will donate 15 percent of dine-in and carry-out sales from 4 p.m. to close to the United Way.
Obermark said the United Way has allocated funds from its reserves to meet the needs the last four years, but no longer has reserve funds available.
“This means that some of our agencies will not be funded at the level they were last year unless increased donations are received,” she said.
Obermark encourages those who have not given to mail in donations to P.O. Box 3, Washington, MO 63090, or go online to www.franklincountyuw.org to make a donation.
Agency funding decisions will not be made until Jan. 8 after all donations and pledges have been received.
This past year, the United Way helped over 70,000 people receive $750,000 in health and human services.
“These services strengthen families, nurture and protect children, assist the elderly and disabled, and provide emergency assistance to those in need,” Obermark said. “Please remember that helping others helps us all build better communities — healthier residents, safer neighborhoods, and stronger communities. We all benefit.”
