United Way feels sting of Carrier?s departure
United Way of Warren County needs your help. All the industries that have left the county have hit the organization hard, since it depends on employee deduction programs to fund its efforts. Though the United Way is still working to provide funds to a number of local non-profits, the loss of a major supporter, Carrier, has left the group with a substantial void to fill in its budget.
According to president Brian Woods, the organization may not be able to provide the same level of funding as it has in the past to the non-profits it supports, which includes the American Red Cross, CHEER Mental Health, the Senior Center, Meals on Wheels, Families in Crisis, Boy and Girl Scouts, Opportunities Inc., Warren County Food Bank, Kids of the Community and Pacesetters, among others.
?Right now we are really struggling for funds,? Woods said. ?When Carrier left we lost the money we used to get from the corporate office.?
United Way secretary Susie Griffith says Carrier averaged around $24,000 in donations annually. A portion of this funding came from employee payroll deductions, with the balance from the corporation itself. And according to Griffith, it doesn?t end there.
?A.O. Smith is a contributor too,? Griffith said, ?but of course they have laid off as well, so we?ve lost quite a bit of their payroll deduction.?
Woods said the non-profits they support may find it difficult to make up the difference if United Way can?t provide the previous levels of funding. He also pointed out that donations coming in to the Warren County United Way stay in Warren County, other than money paid for national dues.
?I think the biggest thing we want to get out there is the fact that we are really hurting,? Woods said. ?Two years ago I think we allocated around $98,000 in funds. Last year the amount was $77,750.?
Woods says the group expects around $100,000 in requests from local non-profits this year. United Way of Warren County distributes the funds quarterly.
?There?s local non-profit groups that get that money,? Woods said, ?and they depend on it. It?s income for them every quarter, and they have to have that money to meet their bills, to operate.?
Woods said a good portion of their funds come from payroll deductions, but noted that many people who live in Warren County work elsewhere.
?We want to remind people who work outside the county, who can do payroll deduction as well, that they can specify the funds be sent to Warren County,? Woods said. The group has discussed other fundraising methods, like banquets and gold tournaments, but Woods says the organization is operated by volunteers, and most work full-time jobs in addition to their United Way duties.
?We?re so small that we?re hesitant to spend money on fundraisers when we?re already struggling,? Woods said.
Those interested in donating to the Warren County United Way can do so by payroll deduction. Local businesses or industries interested in setting up a payroll deduction program, or wish to make individual donations, can contact the organization by e-mail at uwwc@blomand.net.