United Way’s One in a Million campaign needs $1 million more to reach this year’s fundraising goal
United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades has made significant strides in its One in a Million Campaign, but still needs to raise $1 million more to reach its goal.
“We are doing well. The community has really stepped up. We are proud of this generous community. We are still a little shy of a million dollars to go,” said United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Interim President and CEO Hannah Pelle. “We hope to have this wrapped up by the middle of July.”
The One in a Million campaign has raised $600,000 of its $1.6 million shortage towards this year’s goal of $11.5 million to support numerous community programs and initiatives.
Pelle said United Way will be in the community for 70 years, next year.
“The last time we didn’t meet our goal was 1991 — 35 years ago,” she said, adding they have to meet their goal. “Our agencies count on these dollars.”
United Way supports 92 agencies and 260 programs.
“These funds are critical. This is what is feeding people in our current economy,” Pelle said. “Everyone is hurting and people need a hand-up — they need food. Food pantries are busier than they have ever been. People need help. We have to raise these funds. They support so many efforts throughout the community through senior citizens, youth development, feeding the hungry and our veterans — the whole community.”
Pelle said they have a fund distribution process where volunteers throughout the community participate in reviewing applications from agencies — financials and vetting them to make sure they have good quality programs. She said the volunteers make the decisions on the agencies that United Way funds.
“They make a recommendation to the board of directors, and that is how they receive United Way funding,” Pelle said.
One of the benefactors is Family Initiative, the first agency to step forward through a delivered letter from the board of directors on May 15.
“For decades, the United Way has been a cornerstone of our community, convening partners, funding so many critical nonprofit programs, and ensuring that children and families across Southwest Florida have access to the support they need. Family Initiative has been proud to stand alongside you in that work, and we want you to know that our partnership and commitment are unwavering,” stated the letter from David Brown, president of Family Initiative, and Anjali Van Drie, vice president of Family Initiative. “In solidarity, Family Initiative is pleased to contribute $2,500 to your annual fundraising effort.”
Pelle said the letter meant a great deal to United Way.
“Since then, our partner agencies have been fundraising, hosting events. They are just incredible partners,” she said. “They don’t look at us as a funder, but a partner. It’s a family network.”
Pelle said they are really hoping to meet their $1.6 million campaign goal by the middle of July.
“This is an urgent cry. An urgent need. We need our community, as they have always done, to step up and bridge the gap,” she said. “Let’s close the gap together.”
Pelle said they have two match challenges step up since the campaign started — a private foundation of $100,000, and the second from Tom and Linda Uhler, long-time board members, with an also $100,000 match.
“Every dollar we bring in, no matter what the amount is, we can double that gift. Because we have $200,000 right now with this challenge, if you give $20, we can make it $40. If you give $100, we can make it $200. Every dollar counts,” she said
Tom Uhler said he and Linda have had a long history with the United Way. He said when Cliff Smith was hired, Linda was on the selection committee and was a big advocate for Smith.
“He asked her to be his first campaign chair. That was way back 30 years ago,” Uhler said of the campaign that was $1.8 million. “Wow, look how far we have come.”
Uhler now chairs the allocation effort.
“We believe the work of the United Way and the 200 plus programs that it pays for is critical to the health of this community. There is no doubt in our mind that our match will go to help close the gap. When I did my campaign in 2008, we had to go through the same thing. It was a tough year in 2008 with the economic depression. We did it and we are going to do it again,” he said.
Uhler said if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
To make a donation visit UnitedWayLee.org/Donate.
More than $272 million has been raised and distributed by United way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades since its establishment in 1957.