A record-setting United Way campaign has led to record-setting support for community needs in Logan County. 48 human service programs of 27 agencies will split more than $954,000 throughout 2023. Allocations to Funded Agencies will increase 13 percent over last year and six internal United Way programs are also getting a boost.
It’s all thanks to the fall fundraiser that generated nearly $1.1 million in pledges. United Way will announce final campaign totals at the LIVE UNITED Awards Breakfast on January 31.
According to the U.S. Census, the fastest-growing segment of the Logan County population is senior citizens. As such, United Way is responding with $157,000 dedicated specifically to seniors. The amount includes $60,000 to RTC Services to help with their 60 percent increase in demand for transportation to take seniors to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and other errands. Green Hills Community will receive $57,000 to support in-home hospice care and their adult daybreak service which provides respite for caregivers. LifeCare Alliance will receive $40,000 to support more than 450 residents who receive meals-on-wheels and pet care.
Help with housing remains the number one reason why people call United Way. $155,250 will be invested in programming to support the homeless population and prevent others from falling into that state. United Way is putting $80,000 into its own Housing Stability Program, which works to provide case management and financial assistance to prevent evictions and utility shutoffs. The Logan County Homeless Shelter ($35,000) and Caring Kitchen ($25,000) continue to be available for those already homeless. And Habitat for Humanity ($15,250) builds a home a year in partnership with low-income families.
Overall, 38 of the 48 funded programs will receive what they asked for in 2023. 18 of the 48 programs are receiving increased funding. No agency that requested support this year was shut out of funding, though five program requests were denied.
New United Way Funded Agencies include CASA of Logan County ($10,000) to help train more volunteers to assist the court system in providing for abused and neglected children. Give & Take Community Services which operates a food pantry and thrift store in West Mansfield will receive $2,500.
A look at all of the 2023 United Way allocations:
UNITED WAY’S INTERNAL PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
Always United Endowment Fund – Donor Designations
Donor option to include United Way in your will or estate plan.
Community Blood Center – $0
Blood drives offer donors the chance to give the gift of life to benefit regional hospitals, including Mary Rutan.
Community Care Day – $4,000
Corporate volunteer event is scheduled for Friday, August 25.
Community Impact Fund – $77,000
Grant fund for emerging needs and emergencies in 2023.
Dolly Parton Imagination Library – $24,000
A free book a month to preschoolers under age 5 to increase vocabulary and reading skills.
Housing Stability Program – $80,000
Case management and financial assistance to prevent evictions and utility shutoffs.
LIVE UNITED @ WORK Financial Wellness – $37,000
1-on-1 resource coordination and financial help for employees in participating workplaces.
Lunch Buddies – $3,000
Matches adult mentors with 3rd and 4th graders to eat lunch together once a month.
MyFreeTaxes.com – $0
Free online tax preparation from United Way Worldwide with online chat support.
Student United Way – $26,500
6-month leadership experience for high school juniors and seniors who invest donor dollars into youth programs.
Stuff the Bus – $500
Countywide school supply drive held each summer.
Women United – $3,000
Philanthropic women’s group conducting volunteer and social events.
UNITED WAY FUNDED AGENCIES
211 Information and Referral Hotline – $15,000
24/7/365 hotline to talk with live operators about any human service need.
Bellefontaine Police Department – $5,000
Outreach and education programs that help police build relationships and reduce crime.
Boy Scouts Tecumseh Council – $2,000
Character development, citizenship, and leadership skills for boys and girls.
Bridges Community Action Partnership – $10,000
Free income tax preparation and financial education for families in poverty.
Caring Kitchen – $25,000
Urbana-based homeless shelter serving Logan County residents when our shelter is full.
CASA of Logan County – $10,000
Court-appointed advocates who serve children in abuse/neglect cases.
Discovery Riders – $35,000
Scholarships for therapeutic horse riding for persons with physical and developmental disabilities.
Give & Take Community Services – $2,500
West Mansfield-based food pantry and thrift store.
Greater Riverside Area Community Encouragers – $10,000
DeGraff/Quincy-based food program feeds Riverside students on weekends.
Green Hills Community – $57,000
In-home hospice care for the terminally ill; adult daycare for senior citizens; Camp Braveheart grief camp for youth.
Habitat for Humanity Logan County – $15,250
Builds homes in partnership with low-income families.
LifeCare Alliance – $40,000
Meals-on-wheels to shut-ins; senior pet care.
Logan County Cancer Society – $35,000
Financial assistance to cancer patients for medicine, transportation, etc.
Logan County Family & Children First Council – $24,000
Case management for the community’s most vulnerable families.
Logan County Homeless Shelter – $35,000
Bellefontaine-based short-term homeless shelter.
Logan County Neighborhood Outreach Center – $5,250
Summer meals for children at three after-school drop-in centers.
Logan County Sheriff’s Office – $27,300
Mental health counseling for inmates at the Logan County jail; Outreach and education programs that help law enforcement build relationships and reduce crime.
Lutheran Community Services – $40,000
Our Daily Bread soup kitchen; Christmas adopt-a-family help
Mary Rutan Hospital Medication Assistance – $15,000
Financial help for prescription medication.
Midwest Regional Education Service Center – $7,500
Summer Autism Academy – 7-week program for youth on the autism spectrum
Recovery Zone – $30,000
Peer support center for those in recovery from mental health and addiction
RTC Services – $60,000
Free rides for senior citizens on Logan County’s public transportation
Second Harvest Food Bank – $60,000
Weekly Mobile Food Pantry truck distributions throughout Logan County
TCN Behavioral Health – $43,200
Domestic violence shelter and support; Mental health screenings for teens
Warm Clothes for Kids – $39,000
Outfits students in grades K-8 with new winter clothes each fall.
YMCA of Central Ohio – $15,000
Scholarships for child care and programs at Hilliker YMCA
Other United Ways – $36,317
Donor designations to United Ways in neighboring counties
$77,000 remains available for local entities to access for emerging opportunities and emergency needs via United Way’s Community Impact Fund. An additional $25,000 will be available soon for programs serving Logan County youth via the Student United Way grants. Contact United Way directly for more information about these funding opportunities. $48,400 was budgeted for pledge loss. United Way’s overhead is seven percent.
United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of everyone in Logan County. It does so by facilitating successful agency partnerships that enable a safe, healthy, and caring community. Since 1955, United Way of Logan County has raised more than $28 million to support the specific social service needs of our community. More than just a fundraiser, United Way collaborates with businesses, non-profits, government, and civic organizations to help meet the social service needs of the community. For more information, visit www.uwlogan.org.
