ANDERSON — With less than a month left in its 2019 fundraising drive, United Way of Madison County has raised about $700,000 to be used for a variety of human services across the county, according to Chairman Greg Bramwell.
Those funds and $165,000 from outside grants and funding resources will fund services during the next year.
Campaign contributions included funds from direct pledges by organizations and individuals, workplace and other special events, and the remainder of a two-year matching grant through Indiana United Ways (IUW).
Although short of the $755,000 goal, the total includes support from 65 workplace campaigns, 70 corporations and more than 1,700 individuals.
The campaign began in September with the first virtual kick-off, a 24-hour online event that brought in $11,000 from 100 donors.
United Way also expanded into Henry County, serving Middletown. In partnership with the United Way of Delaware, Henry and Randolph counties, it helped raise $35,000 that was matched by IUW to expand Thrive services there.
Additional campaign highlights and recognitions were made at the organization’s recent annual meeting and awards banquet at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, including:
NTN Driveshaft received The Spirit of United Way award for outstanding community commitment and support through United Way by giving, advocating and volunteering. NTN sponsored a company volunteer day and also participated in Operation Weatherization. The company is also working with United Way to pilot a new Thrive at Work site and held numerous activities during a month-long company campaign.
Harrah’s Hoosier Park received the Community Builder’s Award for overall partnership, including corporate support, employee giving and volunteerism. Harrah’s HERO volunteer program encourages employees to serve the community in a variety of ways throughout the year. United Way assists with development, promotion and tracking of volunteer service.
Thompson Insurance for sponsoring the Thrive Ways to Work Car Loan Program in partnership with Madison County Federal Credit Union.
Beverly Hockersmith, volunteer from First Merchants Bank, was named Campaign Volunteer of the Year for her leadership in Alexandria, Summitville and Frankton.
Sterling Boles, assistant superintendent of Frankton-Lapel Schools, was named Workplace Champion for leading his district’s campaign over the past two years, increasing participation and leading to a more than 300% increase in giving.
Two companies, Essential Senior Health & Living and GTI/Greenville Technologies Inc., received Rise to the Challenge Awards for increasing employee participation resulting in a dollar-for-dollar match for their campaigns. Participation increased by 150% at Essential Senior Health & Living and by 184% at GTI. GTI total giving also increased by 75% compared to prior year.
Bramwell led a campaign cabinet that included team leaders Shane Bivens, Trent Dowling, Kelly Hawes, Scott Mellinger, Brian Moore, Beatrice Ramey, Beth Tharp, Nick Theohares, Tyrone Thomas and staff members Kim Williams and Nancy Vaughan.
United Way funds support the Thrive Network, a partnership of organizations including Alternatives, Anderson Impact Center, Children’s Bureau, Dove Harbor, PathStone and Stripped Love that supports individuals and families as they work to become financially independent. Other programs of United Way of Madison County include Born Learning Connection, RSVP 55+ and other volunteer projects, Covering Kids & Families, Friend to Friend utility assistance, Community Access Network basic needs assistance, and Indiana 211 information and referral services.
The 2019 fundraising campaign will close March 31. For more details or to give or volunteer, visit unitedwaymadisonco.org.