Charities, relief agencies depend on yearly funds

Like many nonprofit agencies -- including those it partners with -- the Bedford County United Way relies on corporate donors. But it's their employees, said director Dawn Holley, who actually make up more than half of the organization's yearly gifts.

"I'd say about 60 percent of our donations come in from the employees who pledge at work," she said.

Many businesses and industries in town participate in the United Way campaign, from banks to factories, from schools to the newspaper. Holley, usually accompanied by a representative from one of the partner agencies, visits with the employees to explain what the United Way is and what it does.

Long history

Created in 1887 by two ministers and a rabbi in Denver, Colo., the United Way was originally called Charity Organizations Society, and even then, its purpose was "to serve as an agent to collect funds for local charities, as well as to coordinate relief services, counsel and refer clients to cooperating agencies, and make emergency assistance grants in cases which could not be referred," according to the web site at www.liveunited.org/about/history.cfm. That first year, they raised $21,700 -- what would more than half a million dollars today.

This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the United Way presence in Bedford County.

"We started here in 1990. We're well established and accountable," said Holley. "Each United Way is independent, but we do work together."

Local results

She said the important thing to remember is that any and all money donated in Bedford County stays in Bedford County, unless the donor has specifically designated another recipient.

"We have people who work in another county but make their pledge to a Bedford County agency," she said "So we'll get checks from the Rutherford County or Williamson County United Way. Of course, if we have someone who works here and they want their donation sent somewhere else, we'll respect that and do it. We want people to be happy with where their dollars are going."

An important part of the campaign is letting everyone know just who benefits from their gifts.

"Someone may know all about the Boy Scouts because that's what their family is involved in, but they won't know anything about Caregiver Relief," said Holley.

Besides national and international organizations, such as the America Red Cross or Alzheimer's Association, the United Way of Bedford County also partners with many agencies that are strictly local, such as the Bedford County Rescue Squad and the Great Strides Therapeutic Riding Program. For those organizations that do span a state, nation or the world, the money is dedicate to the local chapters. In other words, if you designate the 4-H to receive your donation, it goes to the Bedford County 4-H, not the state office or any other county.

It's all about community, said Holley.

Industrious giving

That's one reason many of the industries participate in the campaign, encouraging their employees to sign up for the payroll deduction as a way to give easily.

"The United Way is a very effective organization to use to assist the many social service agencies in our community," said Kathy Young of Bemis Shelbyville. "From 2000 through 2005 and 2008, we won the Derryberry Award for outstanding support to United Way of Bedford County through employee campaign excellence, corporate financial support and volunteerism within the community.

"It's the most effective way we can help solve problems in our community. Our contributions are an important part of the solution."

"We have had a team for the past 12 years and we just ask for volunteers in our plant," said Kris Thomson, human resources manager at Josten's. "We're very team-oriented anyway. It's a way to get employees involved and to support the United Way."

Economy's effects

The economy has affected this year's campaign, but not as badly as Holley had feared. In fact, she said, in some businesses, the campaign was bringing in more than expected. Not all of the pledges have been returned, so a final number won't be available for a while.

"We try to set a deadline for November to make it easy on those doing payroll, since it's done with a payroll deduction and that starts with the new year," she said. "But some businesses asked for an extension."

Since allocations begin in April or May, she added, the final pledges need to be in by the first of April.

"In support of this very important campaign, we set a 2010 goal of $14,000," said Young. "Our goal was not met but in this staggering economy, I feel we did an outstanding job. Our employees pledged $12,746. Bemis Foundation matched our contributions dollar for dollar, sending a corporate contribution of $12,746. Total contributions to the United Way were $25,492. The spirit and leadership of the employees of Bemis Flexible Packaging is well recognized in the community. We have never been content with just following along; instead we take the initiative to set the pace for others."

Serious fun

Often, the businesses promote special events to make the campaign fun.

"We've had the United Way car and bike show for 11 years, " said Thomson. "This year, we had the first ever fall festival. In the past, we've had a 1950s-style malt shop -- our employees love anything related to food -- open all week. We have silent auctions each year, where our employees donate something they made or purchased. We had a chili cook off, a bowling tournament -- anything they can think of we're all kind of interested in."

When she first came to Josten's 13 years ago, there was no participation in the United Way at the plant. Both she and the new plant manager, Ken Bendixen, had been active in the United Way in their previous positions and were quick to get employees here involved as well.

"The first year, it was very small, but it grew and grew and grew," said Thomson. "It's one of the most fun things I do all year."

She said the current plant manager, Bill Zebick, is also very supportive.

New initiatives

The United Way umbrella covers dozens of organizations, and its reach into the county continues to grow. This year, several new projects were initiated, including the Wonder Trail at H.V. Griffin Park; adding water safety to the Child Safety Initiative; a Day of Caring, in which employees could spend a day with one of the partner agencies to see just what it does and how it helps the community; and nonprofit networking, where it works with other nonprofits, even those that aren't under the umbrella, making sure needs are met. Recently, said Holley, the United Way agreed to assist the school system with its Backpack program.

Another innovation has been creating a Facebook page that lets its 'fans" know what's going on with the United Way and the partner agencies all the time. It can be found at www.facebook.com/#/pages/United-Way-of-B....