What a wonderful surprise it was to learn the United Way of Elkhart County raised $2.1 million to help our communities.
The United Way has a long and successful history of helping in our county and the money raised this past fall will be put to good use. The United Way distributes the money raised to non-profit agencies across Elkhart county. These agencies in turn provide vital services to residents.
For instance, the Boys & Girls Clubs in the county will receive funds to provide educational opportunities for students after school; the Salvation Army offices in Elkhart and Goshen will receive money to provide emergency assistance to families in need; and the Family Christian Development Center in Nappanee will receive funds to provide medicine to people who are unable to pay for it.
These three agencies are examples of how local people are helped when donations are given to the United Way. The United Way board of directors calls these agencies “impact partners,” which we think is a very good way to describe them. Without the Boys & Girls Clubs, the Family Christian Development Center and the Salvation Army, our local children and their families who are hurting due to job loss, family emergencies or the inability to afford child care services after school, would simply be left without hope.
The people of Elkhart County have responded in a big way this year to the United Way’s call for help. Workers have pledged to donate what they can and many employers have sweetened those donations with their own. One generous person donated $200,000 and wants to remain anonymous. That is great example of the best spirit of charity — giving without seeking praise in return. To that person, we say “thank-you for helping.”
And the Elkhart County community owes a debt of gratitude to the dozens of people who ran the United Way campaign this past fall. In this great time of need in our local history, many people stepped forward and asked to be a part of this fund-raising campaign. They knew getting workers and employers to donate during this economic downturn would be a challenge. But these fund-raising leaders met that challenge and exceeded expectations. Their tasks were made easier because many workers and employers have seen their friends, neighbors and family members suffer during this economic downturn, and they wanted to help. And that they did.
The success of the United Way campaign is a reflection of how our community is handling this time of trouble. We are not waiting for someone to solve our problems, instead we are working together to enhance our community and the lives of the people in it.
We thank every single person who has contributed to the United Way campaign. Your generosity and caring will be a comfort to many in the months to come.
