United Way caps fundraising campaign

The United Way has concluded its 2009 fund-raising campaign, according to Executive Director Sherry Stevens Wulf.

The 2009 campaign raised $751,319, or 88 percent of the goal of $850,000. A year earlier, the United Way’s 2008 funding effort raised $804,803.

The campaign had been extended well beyond its Dec. 31, 2009, deadline.

“The United Way is very grateful for the outpouring of support from the community, as people are more in need than ever before,” Wulf said in a news release.

“We continue to feel effects of the economic downturn we are experiencing in our valley and throughout the rest of our country. Over the last two years, United Ways across the nation have struggled to continue to meet the needs of those families who have lost jobs, homes and are trying to make ends meet on a daily basis.”

Wulf said agencies that provide basic human services are experiencing increases in demand of 35 to 45 percent, and agencies and volunteers are forming partnerships to stretch dollars and serve more people.

“Despite the loss in our campaign revenue, our United Way is continuing to focus on what is most important by connecting our donors to the community to reach out to families, seniors, youth at risk and those who are most vulnerable,” she said.

Among the notable United Way accomplishments Wulf listed for 2009 are:

n Renovation of two apartment buildings providing 99 units of subsidized housing for senior citizens through a creative partnership between public and private agencies.

The United Way and Monfric are co-owners of the apartment complexes, which were purchased and renovated through a cooperative project financed by municipal bonds. Glacier Bank was the major funding entity, while the Montana Board of Housing provided tax credits for investors. The partnership also includes the Centre Court Manor.

n Establishing Gateway Community Center Inc., a nonprofit entity to lease more than 51,000 square feet of space in the Gateway West Mall in Kalispell to develop a human services campus and a community center.

n Connecting people to resources through the Answer Book publication in conjunction with the Daily Inter Lake, the Montana 211 database (www.montana211.org), Share Fair and Community Resource Link training for nonprofit agency staffers.

n Administration of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which brought $144,806 to food and shelter agencies in Northwest Montana as well as CASA for Kids and Neighbors in Need.

n A Gifts in Kind Program that received more than $151,951 in donated goods and services for nonprofit agencies.

“We are seeing an increase in volunteers and volunteer hours as our community pulls together to meet the needs of our community,” Wulf said. “The creativity and generosity of our community members are amazing, and the United Way and its member agencies will continue to provide services to help those who are most in need in our valley.”

To donate money or learn more about volunteer opportunities, call the United Way Volunteer Center at 752-7266.