The dismal economic picture painted throughout the world has, once again, translated into a much rosier one for United Way of Crookston. At its annual meeting Thursday evening, Dan Wolpert, outgoing board president, announced that the organization raised a whopping $205,896, 149 percent of its $138,000 goal.
“This was the best year our United Way has had,” said Lori Wagner, executive director UWC. “We're going to raise our goal for the next campaign, which will kick off soon, as we've had the same goal for several years and have exceeded it for the last four years, thanks to the generosity and hard work of the people in Crookston.”
While the board has yet to set a number, Wagner said it would be less than what was raised this year, as “we don't want to put a big burden on people. We want to be realistic.”
The news was good all the way around. The Key Club, which recognizes donors of $400 or more, gained 20 members over the last year. Their donations comprised 29 percent of the campaign goal. Twelve divisions exceeded their goals and contributions over the previous campaign, the Challenge Division coming out on top at 498 percent of its goal.
Barb Muesing, new president of the board, noted that because of the high donations received this year, the UWC is able to expand its community impact grant program. These grants target local initiatives that make a direct impact on people's lives, she explained, like the United for Learning after-school reading and math program that began Wednesday.
“Our view is that people were generous because they wanted us to do something with their money, and do it now to address the needs of the community,” she said.
There is currently about $35,000 available in the program, to which approximately 8 percent of the money raised over the past three years was dedicated to. Muesing asked not only member agencies to apply for impact grants, but also other 503(c) organizations in the community.
“We think this is a good time to see what other needs are out they're that we're not meeting,” she said.
While accepting their first-half allocation checks, several organizations, such as the Migrant Health Services 24-hour Crisis Line, North Country Food Bank and homeless project out of the Care & Share Center, said they had seen significant increases in the use of their services over the last year, which they attributed to the economy.
Kerri Brantner and Barb Hager-Olsen were 2010 campaign co-chairs, along with Julie Follette and Colleen MacRae. The latter two join Janet Denison and Patty Frydenlund as the 2011 co-chairs.
Awards
Wagner, with the help of Follette and MacRae, presented the 2010 campaign awards. They gave Outstanding Support of United Way Corporate and Employee Campaigns awards to American Crystal Sugar Company for increase and company match, and Hugo's, New Flyer of America, RiverView Health and the University of Minnesota, Crookston for increases. Wagner noted that some of these increases were very large, with New Flyer raising $31,000 in employee and corporate contributions over its previous $10,000 donation and American Crystal donating $43,312, half from employees, half company match.
Special Recognition for Outstanding Giving was given to Amanda Hoiland and Bobbie Goulet, Irishman's Shanty employees, who Wagner said met the challenge she gave them to raise $500 in a week. They diligently set about their task by placing a sign up in the business, talking to customers about UWC and collecting donations from them.
“I think it's just great how everybody comes together for this,” Goulet said. “It really is a good thing for Crookston.”
Wolpert presented the President’s Award for Outstanding Service to Nell DeBoer, general manager of Arby's. She manages to figure out ways to make employees and even customers feel empowered and initiate creative ways to raise funds for UWC, like holding a rummage sale in the restaurant.
“You've inspired people to give something back in various ways,” he said.
