United Way campaign goal still $600,000

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The United Way of Van Wert County highlighted the needs fulfilled by its many member agencies as it kicked off its 2016 fundraising campaign Wednesday in the First Federal Lecture Hall of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio.

United Way Executive Director Vicki Smith welcomed those who attended the event, which included representatives of United Way agencies, as well as local business people and other members of the public.

Erin Shaffer, this year’s Day of Caring chair, talked about the activities for this year’s Day of Caring, which include a blood drive at Trinity Friends Church and a community food drive to benefit The Salvation Army’s food bank. The Day of Caring will be held Friday, September 25.

Shaffer noted that 177 units of blood are being sought during this year’s blood drive, while also noting that the food drive goal is 33,000 items, which can also include household items such as paper towels, diapers and shampoo. High demand items include tuna, macaroni and cheese, cereal and peanut butter, she added.

“Last year, The Salvation Army fed 7,691 people,” Shaffer said. “Of those, 2,991 were children. Food that came directly from the Day of Caring helped feed approximately 700 families last year.”

Shaffer added, though, that despite the thousands of food items collected during for the Day of Caring, the items only last a few months at the food bank.

“Usually the amount of peanut butter donated on the Day of Caring doesn’t even last a month,” she noted.

Ohio Representative Tony Burkley was also on hand to commend Van Wert County residents for their generosity, and to talk about the benefits of contributing to the United Way. Burkley, who represents the 82nd Ohio House district, which includes Van Wert County, said he had always admired how generous county residents are.

“In the counties I serve, they all have their unique strengths and weaknesses, and one of the things I’ve always enjoyed about Van Wert County is just the generosity that not only the business people have here, but also the people who are involved in so many different activities,” Burkley said.

The state representative noted that the site of the United Way kick-off, the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, is itself a beneficiary of the generosity of local residents, while also noting the large number of people who volunteer their time and money to help out local organizations. He noted that many people giving a small amount can have a major impact on other people’s lives.

Following Burkley’s talk about the impact of United Way on county residents, one such local resident, Tina Swickrath, told how the YWCA’s Transitional Living Program helped her get back on her feet after she arrived there with pretty much nothing but the clothes on her back.

“I don’t know where I’d be without them,” Swickrath said of the YWCA and its staff, who helped her get a job and taught her how to live independently.

Jessica Hardesty, 2016 United Way campaign chair, talked about the campaign goal of $600,000 and the need for that amount among United Way agencies.

“We’ve fallen short the last couple of years, but I have high hopes for this year,” Hardesty said, while noting that the campaign goal for the coming year, “Open Your Eyes to a New Perspective,” encourages local residents, businesses and organizations to notice the needs of the community.

A locally-acted campaign video created by Dark Horse Productions and shown at the kick-off centered on a man who was given glasses by Hardesty that enabled him to see the needs of people he encountered while walking in downtown Van Wert.

Jenny Helt, who represented Van Wert County Hospital, this year’s campaign pacesetter, also talked about the activities being developed by hospital staff to raise funds for the campaign.