Local individuals, companies and organizations have two weeks left to help make a major difference in the lives of children and families in our region.
October 28 marks the end of United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s Centennial Year campaign.
“We’re hopeful that we’ll reach the $62 million goal,” said campaign chair Kevin T. Kabat, “but there are still several unknowns with many companies just starting or in the midst of their campaigns. Everyone in the community, no matter the size of their gifts, has an opportunity to help us reach a result that celebrates United Way’s Centennial year and raises additional resources to help achieve the Bold Goals for Our Region in education, income and health.”
“Once again, our region is joining together in generous support for United Way’s campaign, but as we enter the final weeks, we are not yet to goal,” said Carri Chandler, United Way NKy campaign chair. “No matter the size of their gift, everyone is encouraged to take the opportunity to help United Way celebrate its Centennial Year and achieve the Bold Goals in education, income and health.”
“Even if you have yet to ever contribute to United Way, the Centennial year provides a perfect opportunity to acknowledge the essential work of the organization in our community.”
Dollars raised through the campaign will fund programs and initiatives that include quality preschools, home visiting programs that help parents give their young children a positive start in life and career pathway programs for unemployed and under-employed people focused on attaining in-demand jobs.
Individuals who would like to contribute and aren’t part of a campaign at their workplace can made a gift to United Way at www.uwgc.org/donate.
Kabat, vice chairman and CEO, Fifth Third Bancorp, said, “I’m heartened by the generous support of so many companies, organizations and people who have already pledged to the campaign but we still have a long way to go.”
Among the successes Kabat highlighted are the recently completed campaigns at Cincinnati Bell, which raised $860,000, an 11 percent increase and over its stretch goal and TriHealth, which met its goal of $600,000, a 14 percent increase. St. Elizabeth Healthcare raised $203,000, a 105 percent increase and 69 percent over its goal, while Michelman raised $148,826, a 13 percent increase.
Kabat said, “We want to deliver a campaign that renews United Way’s path for growth and launches and shapes the next 100 years from a position of strength. We are driving strategies that create sustainable growth by engaging new businesses and deepening involvement with Millennials.”
The campaign, which has already raised more than $38 million, is a fundraising partnership of United Way and Cincinnati-Dayton Region of the American Red Cross. UWGC’s region includes Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, and Butler counties (Middletown Area) in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, Grant, and Kenton counties in Northern Kentucky, and Dearborn and Ohio counties in Indiana.
The campaign ends with a finale luncheon October 28 at Duke Energy Convention Center. For reservations, visit www.uwgc.org/2015finale. Tickets are $50.