When I became Executive Director of the Hutchinson Area United Way in November 2006, I had friends who I’d grown up with in town express they were unsure as to United Way’s function, or even local existence. Those statements are not meant to disparage any of the civic-minded people who have volunteered their precious time serving on the organization’s board, or helping with the annual fall campaign dating back to 1962. It’s simply a reality, that despite a lot of people’s best efforts over five decades, a percentage of the region’s population knows little about United Way’s work. That’s not to say their lives have not been affected by our organization, they may just not realize it.

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For some time United Ways across the country have fought the perception that they are an organization that, “Surfaces to ask for money in the fall then goes underground for the rest of the year.” We took an introspective look in the mirror, and realized that statement hit uncomfortably close to home. Until recently, we did not have a single special event or program that people in the region recognized as a United Way initiative. That fact, coupled with the reality that we face an enormous informational learning curve with many county residents, gave us pause for concern.

Soon after merging with the Glencoe Area United Fund in the summer of 2008, our board of directors began to look into what other United Ways were doing in regards to changing the way their communities viewed them. In talking to other UW boards and staffs, we realized that we needed to tweak our business model to retain our corporate partners and attract a new generation of donors. When most people think of the United Way, their sole vision is that of the workplace campaign. That is still the core of what we do and the foundation of any success we might have. However, we feel the need to try to create long-lasting community change by addressing underlying causes of the most significant local issues. (more…)

As you peruse today’s newspaper, the United Way of McLeod County is chugging through its 2009-10 Campaign. This year has proven to be an exciting time for us, as we continue to work with outstanding partner agencies. Additionally, we were thrilled to launch our 2-1-1 community help line and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library initiatives. It has been a positive learning experience for us, as we campaign throughout all of the zip codes in the county this autumn.

We are overwhelmed by the tremendous generosity of individuals, small businesses and corporations throughout the area that have already given or pledged this fall and have pushed us nearer our established campaign need of $280,000. In this time of budget constraints, we are amazed at the capacity of people to give of themselves. (more…)

The news lately has been of financial crisis and employment and construction downturns, while living costs continue to rise. Demands on public agencies, food shelves, clothes banks and utility funds are much higher than last year – and from people who have never requested assistance before. State funding to public and private agencies has been cut, at the same time that requests for assistance are increasing. United Way helps fill that gap.  (more…)