DUNCAN —
Based on the average funds raised over the last few year’s campaigns, Lauren Siess and the United Way of Stephens County committee have set a lower goal this year — $325,000.
That’s $50,000 less than last year’s campaign.
Siess made it clear that they are extremely ready for the campaign to kick off.
“We are excited about that goal and we plan to exceed it,” she said. “We want to start reflecting the image of campaign success.”
Along with the campaigns slogan of “A new day for caring, a new day for volunteering, a new day for celebration,” the committee has come up with several new ways to approach the campaign process this year.
This means not only fundraising ideas, but the process in which the money is allocated.
In previous years, allocations have been made before the fundraising began, based on the agencies’ requests.
And if the goal isn’t met, funds for each agency have to be cut or United Way has to dip into their reserves.
“It’s a different way of thinking,” said Siess. “We’re postponing the allocation process so we could look at the campaign income and accurate amount to know what to allocate.”
Even the energy involved has a different approach.
This year, the kickoff for the campaign begins with a party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 15, in Fuqua Park.
In the past, there has not been an official kick off but this event will be free to the public and looked at as a celebration of the community.
“It’s an opportunity to provide a way for the community to find out more about the United Way and our agencies,” Siess said. “All our agencies will be present and it will be a snapshot of what the United Way does.”
For the committee’s executive loan officers, who represent several business across the community, their training will take place Aug. 24. Siess said they have an excellent group put together to aid in getting the word out about the campaign and raising money for their agencies.
“It will be a good opportunity for them and I couldn’t have asked for a better team,” she said.
Both new and old ways of fundraising will be taking place throughout the fall months for the United Way campaign. While solicitors calling and visiting businesses and individuals will be utilized, big events, such as a Celebrity Server Night on Sept. 24, will help as well.
Siess also has plans in the works of trying to improve the ways of the community.
While each of the United Way agencies serve a purpose, she wants to work on tackling the root of what drives most people to depend on some of those services.
“I am wanting to pilot a volunteer reading program,” she said. “It is still in its infancy stages and I’m talking with Duncan and Marlow schools about meeting with children who struggle with illiteracy.”
Her goal is to find out from teachers what children are having difficulties with reading and assign them a reading buddy. This partner would come in once a week for half an hour at the child’s school to read with them.
In other programs such as this, Siess said there have been measurable results in improvement in testing and literacy for children struggling.
“We’re trying to make changes and get to the root of the problems,” said Siess.
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