United Way aims to raise $850,000
"Touch a Life" is the theme of the local 2009 United Way fund drive, which kicks off today and continues through Dec. 31.
The goal for the campaign, which benefits a variety of helping agencies throughout Flathead County, is $850,000, according to a news release from the United Way.
Contributions to last year's fund drive were down significantly due to changes in the economy, and this year's goal reflects the continuing economic challenges that face the Flathead Valley, said Sherry Stevens Wulf, executive director of the local United Way.
At the same time, many agencies are experiencing ever-increasing demands for services, some as much as 35 to 40 percent, Wulf said.
Member agency representatives will have booths at Kalispell Center Mall the week of Oct. 13-19 to showcase their services and answer questions about available resources. A full day of entertainment, balloons for children and give-aways is Oct. 17 at the mall.
"We're asking community members to dig deep to help their neighbors, as many agencies are struggling to keep up with requests for help," Wulf said. "Everyone can touch a life through the United Way and by working together, we can reach our monetary goal and touch the lives of the people in our community."
A recurring theme of the campaign is encouraging community residents to "give, advocate and volunteer" to improve the lives of everyone in the Valley. The United Way has a variety of suggestions for ways that people can improve the world around them.
Donations benefit United Way Member Agencies and services in Flathead County, serving thousands of local individuals and families with a variety of needs. The United Way also provides community resources including the annual Answer Book, a counseling directory, the Montana 211 project and a Volunteer Center.
Last year, United Way member agencies helped nearly 57,000 people in need. Ninety-nine percent of all funds raised stay in local communities to help local citizens.
Current member agencies are Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs of Glacier Country, Eagle Transit, First Call for Help-Net, Flathead CARE, Flathead Food Bank, Flathead Youth Home, Girl Scouts, Head Start, Literacy Volunteers, Mental Health Crisis Line, Nurturing Center, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Samaritan House, Sinopah House, Special Friends Advocacy Program, Summit Independent Living Center and the Violence Free Crisis Line/Abbie Shelter.
United Way services include CASA for Kids, Disaster Care Services, Leaders of Tomorrow and the United Way Volunteer Center.
The United Way also supports the emergency food and shelter programs in Northwest Montana: Bread Basket, Community Harvest Food Bank, DOVES, Helping Hands, Hot Springs Food Pantry, Lake County Mental Health Center, Libby Food Pantry, Mission Valley Food Pantry, Neighbors in Need, Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry, Salvation Army Feeding Program, Thompson Falls Food Pantry and Troy Food Pantry.
Donors may choose how to donate, including cash, payroll deductions, charging to a credit card, direct billing or through automatic bank transfers.
Donors also may designate which member agencies or non-affiliated partner agencies or the Montana Shares Federation they want to receive their gifts.
For more information on the United Way campaign, call 752-7266. Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 7217, Kalispell, MT 59904.
Local volunteers determine where the donations are spent. Last year, more than 100 community members participated in the local Citizens Review Panel process to allocate funding and set the monetary goal.