United Way passes 60 percent mark - Friday, October 30, 2009 | Fostoria Review Times

Local News

Friday, October 30, 2009

United Way passes 60 percent mark

By ALLISON WINGATE

STAFF WRITER

For many divisions, the light at the end of the Fostoria United Way campaign tunnel is in sight as they come closer to their individual goals. Together they have reached 61 percent of the campaign's overall goal with $135,296 in donations.

A slumping economy, local layoffs and factory closures pressed the Fostoria United Way to lower its annual campaign goal to $220,000, which is $80,000 less than the 2008 goal.

Nearest to the finish line is Division V, which pulled in a total of $18,597, charting at 93 percent of their goal.

Division II reported several additional donations from companies such as Good Shepherd Home, Callie's and St. Catherine's Manor, yet trailed a distant second to the front-runners at 69 percent of their goal with $46,576 in donations.

Following a few percentage points behind was Division I with a reported total of $58,610 in donations, approximately 62 percent of their goal. This total does not account for pending donations from Honeywell, Fostoria Community Hospital and Fostoria city employees who are all still in the midst of their campaigns.

Divisions III and IV's progress in the campaign were at a virtual deadheat with III pulling in $7,293 at 33 percent and IV with $4,217 at 32 percent. Wagner Mazda gave Divison III a much-needed boost to fourth place by exceeding their individual goal by 65 percent.

Representatives of some of the 15 community agencies that benefit from the Fostoria United Way campaign monies were present at the rally to give status reports to the board and delegates on current projects as well as future plans for the use of campaign funds.

Fostoria and Tiffin Red Cross director John Sherer reported a successful kick-off to their joint bingo fundraising series, which will continue to be hosted at the Tiffin Mall.

"We hope it's going to subsidize dollars we don't have coming in right now," said Sherer.

Also from the Red Cross, administrative assistant Denelda Vaughn reported that the food bank has served a total of 918 meals to date in the month of October.

Geary Family YMCA senior program director Bonnie Hanson informed the group of a new free adult swim lesson program the fitness facility is offering to the community. The program has already garnered a considerable amount of interest, she said, as there are nine students from ages 50 to 84 who are enrolled and learning to swim for the very first time.

The campaign typically lasts for the duration of the month of October but may be extended if companies have yet to finish their donation collections by that given time.

The United Way board and affiliates will meet for one remaining rally at noon Nov. 7 at the Geary Family YMCA.

For more information on the Fostoria United Way 2009 annual campaign, call 419-435-4484 or visit www.uwfostoria.org.

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Fostoria Review Times

Local News

Friday, October 30, 2009

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