So Close!

 

Thursday December 17, 2020

A late-season surge in corporate and private donations has pulled the 2020 United Way of Logan County campaign to the brink of another milestone.

 

$951,007 has been pledged with less than two weeks remaining to achieve the $1 million goal for the third straight year.  When projections for workplace campaigns yet to report results are taken into consideration, the number is closer to $975,000.  Money raised will support 51 programs of 32 Logan County human service agencies in 2021 who are fighting for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community.  

 

"Who would have thought back in March that this would even be possible?" said Katie Rychener, who is serving as United Way's 2020 Campaign Co-Chair with her husband Darrin Haubert.  "Logan County residents are truly closing in on the unimaginable."

 

"It says a lot about our community that we are even talking about this," admitted Dave Bezusko, United Way Executive Director.  "Amid the COVID situation and through the economic uncertainty, it's a testament to the giving spirit of our community.  Those who can give are responding to the call for help and are responding in a big way!"

 

Year-end donors wishing to help push the campaign over the top by December 31 can make a tax-deductible gift to United Way online at www.uwlogan.org or by mail at:  United Way, 130 S. Main Street, Suite 109, Bellefontaine, Ohio, 43311.  Bezusko noted that one can commit a pledge today and make payment on it through 2021.

 

Large corporate donations exceeding $30,000 each have been pledged by Honda of America, Mfg; Honda Transmission; Marker, Inc.; and NEX Transport to supplement associate giving via payroll deduction.

 

Record-level employee giving was recorded in nine local workplaces, including Benjamin Logan Schools; Citizens Federal Savings & Loan; Humble Construction; Indian Lake Schools; Marker, Inc.; Logan County Electric Cooperative; Precision Custom Products; Riverside Schools; and West Liberty-Salem Schools.     

 

Special events including an Online Auction and a LIVE UNITED Radiothon on WPKO raised more than $36,000.  

 

And individual giving by donors online or through direct mail will be at an all-time high this year, already exceeding $63,000.

 

Bezusko credits the tenacity of United Way's volunteer base, including the Campaign Cabinet and champions who coordinate the payroll deduction giving campaigns in their workplaces.  

 

"I can count on one hand the number of in-person campaign presentations we were able to do this fall," Bezusko said.  "With meeting restrictions and limits on visitors, they have found new ways to reach out to their peers to share the United Way story virtually and encourage giving in ways beyond the paper pledge form."

 

Many United Way funded programs serving Logan County have experienced unprecedented need through 2020 as the impact of coronavirus brought new clients seeking help.  Food distributions, meal providers, and mental health supporters saw the biggest strain.  Agencies supporting housing anticipate being affected even more in early 2021.  

 

"In this unprecedented year, the fact that we have made it to $950,000 just shows the level of generosity and the heart of our community," Rychener said.  "We truly look out for our own. Those who can are stepping up big time. It is truly a beautiful thing. If we make it to the million-dollar goal as the smallest community in the state of Ohio for the third year in a row, it will be nothing short of incredible."