United Way reaches half way mark

The United Way of Bourbon County has reached the halfway mark of their 2009 campaign.

According to United Way of Bourbon County Executive Secretary Whendi Martin, the organization has raised about $50,000 of the $101,000 goal since beginning the campaign in mid-September.

"We are right about there at 50 percent," Martin said.

With a declining economy, the United Way of Bourbon County has seen larger donations than expected.

"We've received some pretty significant donations," Martin said. "Most generally the donations are up ... I'm feeling pretty positive about it."

Martin said it is still too early to determine whether or not the goal of $101,000 will be met because many companies have not yet reported their donations.

"Right now it's still a little too early to tell what's going to happen," she said.

Also making it difficult to predict is the fact that many of companies which have not yet reported are historically large donors. Martin said companies such as Ward Kraft, Wal-Mart, and Mercy Health Center have not yet reported.

"We still have lots of big places to report," Martin said. "We still have some big money to come in."

The theme for the 2009 campaign is "101,000 reasons to give to the United Way" The goal of the 2009 United Way campaign is to raise $101,000 that will be used to provide funding to 15 local agencies that offer assistance to residents within Bourbon County.

"Out of the 15 agencies, the money all stays local," Martin said.

The 15 agencies which will receive funding from the United Way of Bourbon County include the Bourbon County Senior Citizens, Tri-Valley Developmental Services, the Bourbon County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Southeast Kansas Respite Services, the 4-H Fair, United Cerebral Palsy of Kansas, the Salvation Army, Kansas Legal Services, the Crisis Resource Center of Southeast Kansas, Inc., the Resource Center for Independent Living, Inc., The Boy Scouts Ozark Trails Council, the Ministerial Alliance and Hospitality Fund, the Keyhole Youth Center, Mother to Mother Ministry and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

The United Way of Bourbon County Board will meet Dec. 16 to determine whether or not they believe the goal will be met, based on previous years.

Although the campaign does not officially end until March, the board will decide how the first allotments will be dispersed in January.

For more information about the United Way or its member agencies, contact United Way of Bourbon County Executive Secretary Whendi Martin at (620) 223-0980.