The United Way of Montgomery County kicked off its annual fundraising campaign Friday with a golf scramble and luncheon at the Crawfordsville Country Club.
Allison Huenemann, campaign chair and general manager of Crawfordsville Electric Light and Power, drew inspiration for this year’s Community Powered theme from past campaign chairs as well as the mission of her employer.
“Everything I was reading in our old campaign chair letters was community, community, community — we always all come together to help each other out,” she said.
As the municipal electric utility, CEL&P keeps the lights on for everyone and keeps everyone moving, she said, and similarly the partner agencies are what powers the community.
“They are the ones that are there, just like we are in a storm,” Huenemann said. “You never know when life is going to throw you a storm, you never know when Mother Nature is going to throw you a storm, but at CEL&P we are there to make sure that at the last minute we can keep your lights on and the partners in United Way are exactly that to this community. They are there when you need it the most. In the midst of that storm, when you least expect it.”
Gina Haile, director of the United Way of Montgomery County, said Huenemann’s analogy made her think of Gloria Jackson. Her videotaped testimony was shared with those in attendance. The Crawfordsville woman described a turn of events in her life that left the single mother homeless. She was able to find shelter, resources and hope at Pam’s Promise, a transitional housing program and partner agency.
“She was fine, she was walking through life and a storm hit and one of our agencies was there to get her through that storm and back to normal,” Haile said. “We get to share the power that is in a community coming together and our partner agencies coming alongside folks and getting them restored to wholeness just like CEL&P does for us.”
Small flashlights were distributed to those in attendance to help continue the Community Powered message throughout the campaign.
“Remember the United Way, remember our agencies, and remember the power that we have together to support our community,” Haile said.
Haile and Huenemann announced this year’s campaign goal is $375,000. Funds raised during the campaign will help support 18 partner agencies, which include: Abilities Services, Boys & Girls Club of Montgomery County, Community Chest of Montgomery County, Crawfordsville Adult Resource Academy, Family Crisis Shelter, FISH Food Pantry, Grace and Mercy Food Pantry, Head Start of Montgomery County, Hand in Hand Creative Learning, New Beginnings Child Care, Pam’s Promise Transitional Housing, Recovery Coalition, Sunshine Vans, Through the Gate, Trinity Life Ministry, Volunteers for Mental Health, Willson Family Literacy Preschool and Youth Service Bureau.
Donations also support three local United Way programs — Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Kindergarten Countdown Camp, and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The Imagination Library is the latest program launched by the United Way here. It began earlier this year and has 825 children enrolled, or 50% of those eligible in the county. The program provides one free book a month for children birth to age 5.
Haile and Huenemann also recognized the campaign’s six pacesetters, which includes two partner agencies, a community bank and the county’s three school districts.
The Family Crisis Center and its eight employees have pledged $769. Haile called their efforts small, but mighty and congratulated them on the 13% increase over last year’s contributions. The Youth Service Bureau and its 12 employees pledged $4,206, which is a 41% increase over last year.
Hoosier Heartland State Bank, which matches employee donations dollar for dollar, pledged $14,072 for a 24% increase.
North Montgomery School Corporation has seen increases in the past two years and pledged $22,446 this year. Crawfordsville Community School Corporation had “record growth” and notched a 65% increase, pledging $23,504. The corporation had a 60% increase the previous with its $14,264 of pledged donations.
Figures for South Montgomery School Corporation were not yet available.
For more information about the United Way and this year’s campaign, call Haile at 765-362-5484 or email ghaile@uwmontgomery.org. Visit online at www.uwmontgomery.org or find the agency on Facebook.
