Picnic kicks off annual drive

What would your children do if they couldn’t go to the Boys & Girls Club or Girls Inc. after school each day?

Who would victims of disasters go to if there were no local chapter of the American Red Cross?

Where would homeless families in the area turn to if there were no Anchor House?

Those are the kinds of questions Jackson County United Way wants community members to ask themselves when deciding whether to donate to this year’s campaign drive.

The annual campaign raises operating funds for 20 local agencies that in turn provide a variety of programs and services to Jackson County residents. Those agencies are the Red Cross, Hoosier Hills Boy Scouts, Mental Health, ARC, Salvation Army, Boys & Girls Club of Seymour, Girls Inc., Read Jackson County, Child Care Network, Anchor House, Meals on Wheels, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Head Start, Turning Point, Kentuckiana Girl Scouts and senior citizen centers in Brownstown, Crothersville, Freetown, Medora and Seymour.

Campaign begins

More than 400 community leaders and supporters of United Way gathered Wednesday at Gaiser Park in Seymour to kick off this year’s campaign with a picnic luncheon.

Organizers say they are confident the community will come together to help raise this year’s goal of $950,000, even during these tough economic times.

“United Way donors and volunteers know that success in life comes when we join together to achieve goals once thought to be beyond our reach,” United Way President Jay Fischer said. “With you, we can bring positive change and visible results to our great community.”

Drive chair Kendra Zumhingst announced that $249,152 or 26 percent of this year’s goal had already been pledged by early bird contributors, including the Community Health Center of Jackson County, Brownstown Central Community School Corp., Union Hardware, Irwin Union Bank, Blue & Co., Jackson County Public Library, Jackson County Bank, RR Donnelly and Wal-Mart Distribution, Transportation and Supercenter.

This year’s campaign faces challenges, with unemployment figures being up in the area, but United Way Executive Director Ruth Ann Rebber said she believes that will encourage people to give more.

“We know there are a lot of people out of work who have given in the past,” Rebber said. “But the people of Jackson County are very committed to seeing the county remain a safe place for families and children. So we hope those that are working can dig a little deeper to help those who are not.”

‘Hard decisions’

Should the drive not be able to raise the $950,000, Rebber said United Way will “have to make hard decisions in funding agencies and programs.”

“To maintain agency services, we truly need to raise that amount,” she said. “Donors can rest assured that the money they contribute is truly making an impact and changing the lives of people in Jackson County.”

Rebber added that right now is a great time to contribute because of $50,000 in matching money available to Jackson County from the Indiana Association of United Ways and Lilly Endowment. Donors who give for the first time at the $285 or more level and donors who move to a higher level of giving will have all of their new dollars matched to support United Way’s early childhood education initiatives, including Jump Start kindergarten programs and Family Preschool.

Kelly Franklin, human resources director at Aisin U.S.A. Mfg. in Seymour, said Aisin and its employees try to give as much as they can each year to the campaign.

“We see the importance of the 20 agencies in our community and we try to think about what it would be like without them,” Franklin said.

Aisin’s campaign won’t begin until October, but even with the downturn in the automotive industry, Franklin said she expects the company to remain a strong contributor to the United Way. Last year, the company pledged nearly $80,000.

“When we have our drive, we will have an agency representative come and tell us their story,” she said. “I think it’s an eye-opener to our employees when they realize how their lives are impacted by these agencies.”

How United Way helps

Kelly Royer, program director for Girls Inc., said without United Way, the club would not be able to provide classes and activities for young girls and in-school programs.

“We couldn’t do the programs we do without them,” Royer said of United Way’s importance to Girls Inc.

Besides giving girls a place to go after school for educational, fun and recreational activities, Girls Inc. also conducts classes in local schools on preventing substance abuse, child abuse and teen pregnancy.

“It’s a service we provide for girls and boys and I think it’s something the community appreciates and wants to see continue,” Royer said.

During Wednesday’s kickoff, Zumhingst thanked all those companies who finished their internal fundraisers early and urged others to make a contribution.

“I want everyone to understand how important their contribution is to the work of these agencies,” she said. “So many are depending on us this year. We hope those who can give this year will remember the need is greater than usual and all contributions, no matter the amount, help to support the important work of the agencies.”

Money stays here

Seymour Mayor Craig Luedeman agreed that United Way’s annual campaign is important to the community.

“All money donated remains in Jackson County and all residents benefit directly or indirectly from the services provided by the agencies United Way supports,” he read from a proclamation declaring Sept. 9 United Way Day.

Drive co-chairs Mark Woods of Coldwell Banker and his wife, Missy Woods, of Human Services said it doesn’t take a big donation to make a difference and that United Way is always in need of new donors.

“Our challenge is for those who have never given before to step forward with a pledge of at least $2 per pay period or week to support these important agency programs. New contributors will assure our success.”

Fischer said many of the agencies United Way supports don’t get enough credit for the work they do to improve the quality of life in Jackson County.

“There are a lot of agencies that work behind the scenes and don’t get the recognition they deserve,” he said. “All of them make an important contribution to our community.”

All county residents who are not contacted at their place of employment can send contributions to the United Way office at P.O. Box 94. Farmers can make their donations at their grain elevator or stockyard. All donations are tax-deductible.

For more information, contact Ruth Ann Rebber, executive director of Jackson County United Way at 522-5450.