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United Way names co-chairs, sets 'attainable goal'
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| Six area bank executives have been named to co-chair this year’s United Way of Western Nebraska fundraising campaign. Those pictured, from left, are Bill Woodworth with Valley Bank & Trust (filling in for John Stinner), Kathy Holten with Tier One Bank, Jeanne McKerrigan with US Bank, Marv Hefti with First State Bank and Dave Bartlett with First National Bank. Not pictured is Hod Kosman with Platte Valley Companies. Photo by Roger Holsinger |
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By ROGER HOLSINGER
Assistant Editor
Six just might be the magic number for this year’s United Way campaign.
Despite the tough economic times, co-chairs with the United Way of Western Nebraska believe the goal of raising $350,000 this year is attainable.
During a press conference on Monday, Executive Director Roxann Backer announced that six people would co-chair the 2009-2010 fundraising campaign, including John Stinner with Valley Bank & Trust, Kathy Holten with Tier One Bank, Jeanne McKerrigan with US Bank, Marv Hefti with First State Bank, Dave Bartlett with First National Bank and Hod Kosman with Platte Valley Companies.
Backer said this year’s campaign would focus around the theme of “Live United,” which is also the national theme and that last year $313,000 was raised to support the 19 agencies that rely on the organization for financial support. While last year’s final tally was lower than anticipated, Backer said two years ago the campaign raised $370,000.
“So we feel that this goal is attainable,” Hefti said. “Maybe six will be the magic number.”
Backer said that while some corporate giving declined last year, individual giving increased.
“The need is greater during tougher times,” Backer said adding that with having six co-chairs, the organization would have more “horsepower to spread the work.”
When asked how she’d convince someone to give when many people have lost jobs, had their wages cut and are concerned more with providing for their own family, Backer said education is the key.
She said she believes there are many people who are not aware of what the 19 agencies do and how important those agencies are to the region. She said something the campaign leaders plan to work on is creating awareness of the needs in this region. Backer said giving doesn’t always mean a financial contribution either and that there are other ways to give during some of the special events held by the United Way.
She said they hope to have the $350,000 raised by the end of October. The campaign officially begins in August.
Backer said the decision to have the campaign run for three months was made for a number of reasons, mainly because she believes at a certain point people get tired of hearing about giving to the campaign. She said the goal is to have all the pledges in and the paperwork completed by the end of October so that the agencies know what to plan for next year.
One of the biggest events for the organization is the annual duck race, which will be held Sept. 19. Last year, 18,000 ducks were sold and this year’s goal is 19,000, according to Special Events and Marketing Coordinator Jeana Allen.
Allen said a total of 20,000 ducks could be sold, but that would be it.
“The dump truck we use won’t hold any more than that, so we’ll have to figure what to do after that. That’s why it’s important to buy your ducks early, because when they’re gone, they’re gone,” added Heather Churchill, special events co-chair.
Allen said that once again Team Chevrolet and Target would be donating a Chevrolet truck as the top prize for this year’s duck race. Last year’s race raised $72,000.
“It’s growing and getting bigger every year,” Allen said.
She added that this year’s golf tournament was also a success as 31 teams participated and $12,000 was raised, an increase of about $3,000 from last year.
Despite the tough economic times, co-chairs with the United Way of Western Nebraska believe the goal of raising $350,000 this year is attainable.
During a press conference on Monday, Executive Director Roxann Backer announced that six people would co-chair the 2009-2010 fundraising campaign, including John Stinner with Valley Bank & Trust, Kathy Holten with Tier One Bank, Jeanne McKerrigan with US Bank, Marv Hefti with First State Bank, Dave Bartlett with First National Bank and Hod Kosman with Platte Valley Companies.
Backer said this year’s campaign would focus around the theme of “Live United,” which is also the national theme and that last year $313,000 was raised to support the 19 agencies that rely on the organization for financial support. While last year’s final tally was lower than anticipated, Backer said two years ago the campaign raised $370,000.
“So we feel that this goal is attainable,” Hefti said. “Maybe six will be the magic number.”
Backer said that while some corporate giving declined last year, individual giving increased.
“The need is greater during tougher times,” Backer said adding that with having six co-chairs, the organization would have more “horsepower to spread the work.”
When asked how she’d convince someone to give when many people have lost jobs, had their wages cut and are concerned more with providing for their own family, Backer said education is the key.
She said she believes there are many people who are not aware of what the 19 agencies do and how important those agencies are to the region. She said something the campaign leaders plan to work on is creating awareness of the needs in this region. Backer said giving doesn’t always mean a financial contribution either and that there are other ways to give during some of the special events held by the United Way.
She said they hope to have the $350,000 raised by the end of October. The campaign officially begins in August.
Backer said the decision to have the campaign run for three months was made for a number of reasons, mainly because she believes at a certain point people get tired of hearing about giving to the campaign. She said the goal is to have all the pledges in and the paperwork completed by the end of October so that the agencies know what to plan for next year.
One of the biggest events for the organization is the annual duck race, which will be held Sept. 19. Last year, 18,000 ducks were sold and this year’s goal is 19,000, according to Special Events and Marketing Coordinator Jeana Allen.
Allen said a total of 20,000 ducks could be sold, but that would be it.
“The dump truck we use won’t hold any more than that, so we’ll have to figure what to do after that. That’s why it’s important to buy your ducks early, because when they’re gone, they’re gone,” added Heather Churchill, special events co-chair.
Allen said that once again Team Chevrolet and Target would be donating a Chevrolet truck as the top prize for this year’s duck race. Last year’s race raised $72,000.
“It’s growing and getting bigger every year,” Allen said.
She added that this year’s golf tournament was also a success as 31 teams participated and $12,000 was raised, an increase of about $3,000 from last year.
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