United Way of Greater Toledo announced Oct. 30 that halfway through its 2008 campaign it has tallied $6.5 million, 43 percent of its $15 million goal.

United Way is ahead of where it was last year at this time, which was $6.1 million, but president and CEO Bill Kitson said he is worried. Workplace campaigns have not finished and the economic news keeps getting dimmer, he said.

“I get this feeling the whole campaign is slowing down,” Kitson said Oct. 30. “I have been doing this a long time and I am not getting a good feeling.”

Kitson is so worried that if someone told him the campaign could end today at last year’s total of $14.55 million, he would take it. The goal was to raise 3 percent more this year, but uncertain times lead to uncertain results, he said.

Rexam Plastic Packaging and Eaton Corporation are two of the companies Kitson recognizes as having completed successful workplace campaigns. Rexam Plastic Packaging raised 145 percent more than last year, which included a 1:1 corporate match. Additionally, Eaton Corporation raised 30 percent over their 2007 contribution.

Kitson said the employees who are working continue to be generous, but it is the ones who have been laid off who are affecting the campaign. Every day, he reads about another shift gone or a company leaving.

“Those are employees who used to give to United Way,” he said.

In a news release, 2008 campaign chairman Steve Krull said, “We’re actually ahead of where we were last year at this point, but we still have some hard work ahead of us.

“The need is great and it has never been more important for people to do what they can to lend a hand to others who are struggling in our community. We have seen the very best of Toledo throughout this campaign. So many people and companies have recognized the challenges and uncertainties facing our community and have really stepped up to support United Way this year,” he said.

Kitson said it’s not the campaign that keeps him up at the night, it is the rising need. The No. 1 call to 2-1-1 was the need for food last year [and for many years], which United Way used its resources to help address. Now, there is more food on the shelves of the local food pantries, but the need for financial help with utility bills is rising and no one has enough money to help everyone, he said.

United Way is receiving more calls from suburbs like Perrysburg and Sylvania. Kitson said the social system was set up to help the inner city, not the suburbs. United Way is facilitating a meeting in November with community partners to discuss how to address this growing need.

Kitson reminded potential donors that even smaller donations add up. Half of the donations made to United Way are $100 or less, he said.

Donations to the 2008 United Way Campaign can be made securely online at www.unitedwaytoledo.org, by calling (419) 248-2424, or by pledging at your workplace.

To announce the results of the 2008 United Way Campaign, a celebration will be held Dec. 11 at Fat Fish Blue, home of the Funny Bone. For more details or to secure a reservation, call (419) 254-4619.

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 30th, 2008 at 5:58 pm and is filed under Community, Philanthropy.
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