Washtenaw United Way seeks community's help in reaching $5.1 million goal
The Washtenaw United Way has a long history providing funding to agencies that help those who have been affected by the poor economy and job loss. But the economy is having an impact on the United Way itself.
The United Way relies solely on donations to fund its partners in the community. And 80 percent of those donations come from businesses and their employees, said Karen Gabrys, director of marketing communications with the United Way.
Neighborhood Senior Services transport driver Dave Blackmer is shown in this 2007 photo with a special needs van General Motors and the UAW donated to the United Way.
But when companies leave the area, so go their donations. Many other companies are simply hesitant to give money this year, she said.
That's why the United Way is making a public plea to the community to help reach its $5.1 million goal as the intensive annual campaign winds down. The United Way had reached $5.1 million by this time last year, but is about $200,000 to $300,000 shy of that amount, Gabrys said.
The United Way works with about 35 partner agencies to provide health and human services to adults, seniors, and children. Some of the agencies include Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels, Catholic Social Services, and the Peace Neighborhood Center.
If the United Way doesn't meet its goal, those agencies may have to make cuts to their own already-limited budgets.
Rev. Yolanda Whiten, executive director of the Ann Arbor Community Center, said any more cuts to the center’s budget may mean not getting help to those who desperately need it. Among other services, the Community Center provides food and assistance to the underprivileged.
After just receiving a call from a mother seeking assistance after the heat and electricity to her home had been turned off, Whiten pointed out money is needed to stay open.
“If there are further cuts, I may not be here this long in the day to answer the calls,” Whiten said.
To donate to the local United Way, go its Web site at wuway.org. The site also has information about starting workplace and community campaigns.
The local office is at 2305 Platt Road in Ann Arbor. Call 734-971-8200 for more information.
Ann Dwyer can be reached at anndwyer@annarbor.com.
Comments
Ibu
Thu, Oct 21, 2010 : 9:23 a.m.
I agree with you guys, it s better to give directly to ones favorite charity than to have a middle man aka "poverty pimp" involved. Here is from an interesting 2008 article about non profit compensation http://blog.ncrp.org/2008/07/nonprofit-executive-compensation-who.html here is one excerpt: * UWCC raised a record $44 million and Pace Kings salary was $365,000 (excluding benefits). * In metropolitan Atlanta, the United Way chapter raised nearly $79 million; their outgoing CEO was paid a lump sum of nearly $1.6 million when he retired, on top of a salary of $352,611.[1] * The United Way of Greater St. Louis raised close to $69 million; the CEO was paid $254,487.
gamebuster
Thu, Oct 21, 2010 : 8:08 a.m.
Forget to share that annarbor.com Executive director is also in the board of United Way.
gamebuster
Thu, Oct 21, 2010 : 8:04 a.m.
Check its financial report online. They used over 2 million on management, pension, retirement, looses on investment, endowment.....out of about 7 million revenue. It's true. Making donations directly to your favorite charity.
bruceae
Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 10:50 a.m.
@MJC Why would you send a check to the United Way and designate the Boy Scouts when you can just send them the check directly and cut out the United Way middleman and over head?
MjC
Sun, Jan 10, 2010 : 7:38 a.m.
Just like the other commentators here I used to be exremely frustrated with the United Way. There were points in my career when I was "ordered" to serve as the office UW rep. Then there were the past reports of UW leadership abuse of funds. But five years ago I met a woman who told me that if had not been for the United Way and one of the agencies it supports she and her little girl would have lost their apartment one terrible year in her life. I've also learned that the UW was established in part to stop charities from constantly soliciting people at their homes and offices. Imagine the number of people knocking at your door or showing up at the office asking for financial support if not for the United Way! It's hard enough dealing with all the people asking to buy cookies, popcorn, magazines, and so on for their children. Who ever likes to say no? But all of us only have so much money to give (if we choose to give at all). The United Way is able to distribute your donation to charities that are legit and doing good in our neighborhoods. Yes, there is overhead - but the new leadership works hard to keep the overehead low. Our local charities (Safe House, Ozone House, Humane Society, just to mention a few) still need the support of the United Way. Instead of withholding your support, send a check and designate it to Boy Scouts of America as your form of protest. But don't stop giving to the United Way when this organization is still needed by so many deserving local charities. Your money WILL be handled by a volunteer who cares and it WILL reach someone in dire need.
Commoncents
Sun, Jan 10, 2010 : 4:56 a.m.
I came on here expecting to be the only person skeptical of the United Way. Very impressed at the comments, especially considering this is ANNARBOR.com!. What is the overhead for Washtenaw United Way vs. actual donation revenue? That will put the $200k they're short into perspective. This story without that data is a waste of time.
tdw
Sat, Jan 9, 2010 : 4:46 p.m.
John Gault Hey I'm on your side.When I made my first post I really could'nt remember why I did'nt like the United Way now I do.I'm with you 100% on this
John Galt
Sat, Jan 9, 2010 : 4:27 p.m.
tdw: I'm not sure of the current status of Unted Way and Boy Scouts. However, in 2002 they voted to cut the funding. http://www.ur.umich.edu/0102/Mar04_02/4.htm At this point, I don't want any of my donations given to the UW group even if they rescinded the policy. They have revealed themselves as a political organzation. I also don't like the overhead and the fact that some money goes to groups I don't support (it all goes into the same "pot" enen if they say your money can be directed).
xmo
Sat, Jan 9, 2010 : 3:51 p.m.
I wish we had more people working and more rich people. then we would have these problems. I wish the United States could be strong and powerful again! I hate that we have to come down to the rest of the worlds level.
belboz
Sat, Jan 9, 2010 : 3:46 p.m.
Perhaps, although it happend 6 years ago a second time, after an 8 year span. If it was just once, I'd be less likely to point it out. But, the marketing strategy of pushing employers to push employees is what pushed me over the top. People at work are making donations they would not make if their employer didn't "ask" them to. That, on top of the repeat corruption charges, leaves me looking elsewhere.
tdw
Sat, Jan 9, 2010 : 3:15 p.m.
belboz its hardly fair to say that is how they do bussiness for somethig that happened 10 and 11 yrs ago ( I still won't donate to them just on principial,see above )
belboz
Sat, Jan 9, 2010 : 2:14 p.m.
Per Wiki.... In 1995, William Aramony, CEO of the national organization, and in 2004, Oral Suer, CEO of the Washington, D.C. chapter, were convicted of misuse of donations.[4][5] Norman O. Taylor, Oral Suer's replacement, was never charged with misconduct, but was forced to resign. _____ Looks like a culture that I don't want to be associated with. Give directly to your local charities. Any national organization that relies on Employers to pressure Employees to donate money is not the type of charity I want to be associated with.
tdw
Sat, Jan 9, 2010 : 1:41 p.m.
John Gault Did the United Way stop giving to the Boy Scouts because of politics? ( I know what you're talking about and I'm with you if they did,infact that why I don't give to them)
John Galt
Sat, Jan 9, 2010 : 12:56 p.m.
I have decided to give my money directly to charities of MY choice. I was dissapointed by the United Way playing politics with the Boy Scouts a few years ago and will no longer use them. I prefer to avoid the United Way 'overhead' and get more "bang for the buck" with focused giving.
bruceae
Sat, Jan 9, 2010 : 12:06 p.m.
Not one word about what United Way is doing to reduce their overhead since people are moving out? Not one word about what percentage of donations actually make it to the people who need it? In these economic times it isn't acceptable to just beg for more money and expect people to write checks.
libertyforall
Sat, Jan 9, 2010 : 10:01 a.m.
Since UW cut funding to the Boy Scouts, I wouldn't give them a red cent. Give directly to your favorite charity, cut out the middle man.