Amy Bledsoe, the 2008-09 campaign chair of the United Fund of Surry, left, Walt Broom, the campaign chair of the retail division, and Kendra Garaventa, the chair of the industrial division, move the marker up on the thermostat in front of Reeves Community Center. The marker represents that the organization has met close to 90 percent of its goal to raise $500,000 to help 29 area agencies.
Friday, the United Fund had reached about 87 percent of its goal.
Typically, the non-profit organization tries to obtain its goal during a 90-day time frame following Thanksgiving through the New Year, but the slow economy has it staggering to reach the $500,000 mark.
The string of recent layoffs and plant closings throughout Surry County haven taken a toll on not only its citizens, but also the non-profit organization that is striving to help those in need during the economic downfall. The United Fund of Surry helps 29 agencies which address many different needs in the community: emergencies and crisis; family and youth services; seniors; medical and food banks.
Jim Lewis, the president of the United Fund of Surry board, said the board decided to fund 100 percent of the agencies sponsored by the campaign by cutting expenses and using existing funds to make up for the portion of the half-million dollar goal that’s not met.
“We don’t like to do it, but if we have to, we will,” he said Friday. “It’s a tough time for everybody.”
He said whether enough money is raised to get the half-million dollar goal, the organization will still distribute the funds it has pledged to each of its 29 agencies.
The industrial division of the United Fund, which is the largest division, has been one of the hardest hit by lack of donations.
“We had hoped the industrial division would come out as strong as it did in previous years,” said Kendra Garaventa, the chair of the industrial division.
Last year, the United Fund raised a little more than 100 percent of its campaign goal of $455,000.
Garaventa said that there are still businesses in town who are strong participants in the employee campaigns, but the layoffs and plant closings have hit the United Fund hard.
“For the ones who have still been able to give, we really appreciate it,” she said. “We’re still optimistic we can make our goal.”
Campaign Chair Amy Bledsoe said the United Fund is hosting “The Power of Change,” a change drive that will run Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will take place at each of the rescue squad stations in Mount Airy, Dobson and Pilot Mountain. There, students with the Mount Airy High School Interact Club will collect change for the United Fund.
The Surry Community College Student Government Association will also host a collecting site at four different locations on campus on the same day and times.
“It’s our last big push to raise money,” Bledsoe said. “It’s the last way people can get involved with the campaign.”
On Feb. 26 at noon at First Baptist Church of Mount Airy on North Main Street, the United Fund of Surry will host a celebration wrapping up the efforts of the 2008-09 campaign.
Contact Erin C. Perkins at eperkins@mtairynews.com or 719-1952.
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