United Way of McLeod County Board President Jennifer Grimsley announced today that the organization delivered $52,000 in checks during January, to 33 partnering agencies that encompass 42 area programs. Those checks represent the first quarter allocations for 2010 United Way funding. The next round of community investment checks from UWMC will be disbursed in April of this year. 

“Our United Way is pleased to announce that due to the generosity of individual donors, small businesses and corporations throughout McLeod County, we are able to distribute these allocation checks,” said Grimsley. “We want to thank everyone who has donated to the 2009-10 campaign thus far, because their dollars are going to fund outstanding programs and help many deserving individuals and families.” 

Due to the current economic realities, the regional non-profit has extended its current campaign to March 31, 2010. After meeting with its partner agencies last May, the UWMC established a $280,000 county-wide campaign need. Thus far in 2009-10, the campaign has received pledges of $196,000, or roughly 70% of the goal. 

UWMC supports programs in the areas of: emergency and basic needs, health and human services, child development and community development. In 2010 the UWMC is funding 42 agencies/programs that support the organization’s mission of impacting the needs of McLeod County by building stronger, healthier communities. 

Donations to help fund partner agencies and programs supporting area residents can be sent to the United Way of McLeod County located at 218 Main Street South, Suite 124, PO Box 504, Hutchinson, MN 55350.

Campaign goal: $280,000

Campaign deadline: March 31st, 2010.

Goal Reached: Just over 60%

After a few years on hiatus, the United Way thermometer is back and currently located in Hutchinson’s Library Square. For decades United Ways across America have used the tool as a community focal point to gauge their annual fall campaigns. Recently however, United Ways began to debate the use of thermometers, as they moved away from a strictly fundraising function to that of community impact. The thought was United Ways do not want to be seen as an organization that covets your money, but instead be known for the lasting partnerships they have built and the good work coming from those relations. Read the rest of this entry »