United Way steps genly into '09 fundraising

United Way of Bedford County kicked off its fall fund-raising campaign with a luncheon Thursday at H.V. Griffin Park. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Order this photo]

United Way of Bedford County kicked off its fall fund-raising campaign Thursday with a low-key "appreciation luncheon" held at H.V. Griffin Park.

There was no organized program, and the non-profit -- which distributes funds to health and human service agencies serving Bedford County -- is not announcing a fund-raising goal as in the past. Last year, the United Way campaign raised about $166,000, according to executive director Dawn Holley. That figure was a decline from the previous year's collections.

In recent years, United Way officials have blamed the economy for the agency's struggles, and have also mentioned some industries' shift towards the use of employees from temporary staffing agencies. United Way depends on payroll deductions for some of its fund-raising, and that's not convenient to set up for temporary employees.

For the 2009-10 fiscal year which began July 1, United Way is contributing to 18 partner agencies, ranging from a domestic violence shelter to youth programs like Boy Scouts and 4-H. Funding decisions are made by an allocations committee composed of local volunteers. Each local United Way makes its own decisions about which agencies to fund or not to fund.

In addition to its allocations program, United Way has three programs reaching out more directly to local citizens:

* United Way organizes a "child safety day" each October, with activities like child seat safety checks and fingerprinting for child identification kits. This year's event will be held Oct. 31 at H.V. Griffin Park, along with United Way's second annual Spooktacular 5K Run.

* The "Stuff the School Bus" drive, held each summer, collects school supplies for needy children. This year's event was held July 18.

* United Way serves as a distribution point for prescription drug discount cards, which enable customers without prescription drug coverage to save an average of 35 percent. The free cards are available from United Way partner agencies.

Participating employers will begin in the coming weeks to ask employees to make pledges. Participants can make a one-time contribution to United Way or, if their employer offers the service, can have a designated amount deducted from each paycheck.

Thursday's luncheon featured door prizes and the chance to meet partner agency representatives.