United Way fundraising making good progress

Official says there's still time for people to make donations

The United Way of Greater Texarkana's fundraising campaign is still more than a month from its conclusion, but the organization has already brought in more money than last year.

"We're at $707,865, which is 78.65 percent of the $900,000 goal," said Mark Bledsoe, United Way president/CEO. "Last year we finished the year at $677,749, and in 2014 we finished the year at $682,686. At this point we're ahead of the two previous years, but we still have a ways to go. I feel good it's not going down. We've reversed the trend, but we still have a lot of ground we still need to make up."

The United Way, which gives grants to programs focused on improving education, health and income, wasn't able to meet all the needs in the community last year.

"Last year, the total requests during the community impact grant process was for $737,786, but we were only able to fund about 63 percent of that. I would like to see a day in which we're able to take care of 100 percent of the need. That's the goal. I know it's a stretch, but we don't like to see those needs not being met," Bledsoe said.

United Way officials have plans for a final push to try and increase donations.

"We have a 5,000-plus mailer that will be going out to metro and professional divisions. We're also scheduling, on a daily basis, new campaigns at places that have not had campaigns before," Bledsoe said. "We're encouraging those who have businesses who are interested to let us know. We'd love to come make a presentation. We have an excellent video that tells what the United Way is all about."

A focus for Bledsoe, campaign co-chairs Christine Sidwell and Terry Sloan and the campaign cabinet (three times larger than last year) is to educate the younger generation about the United Way.

Bledsoe wants the community to know just how important the United Way funds are to the community.

"The programs we fund are not programs that are merely a Band-Aid. We're looking for long-term solutions to issues. Our statistical information shows if education levels go up, the need for our programs goes down. By educating the public and helping in these key areas, hopefully we're coming up with long-term solutions. I see the role of the United Way as the organization that has their arms around the entire community trying to take care of these basic needs. We certainly work hand-in-hand with our partnering agencies because we're all in this together," Bledsoe said. "We're working with 17 different agencies and 28 programs. It's vital to have these programs in place so everyone can have a better quality of life."

The majority of donations come through payroll deductions, but all donations are welcome, no matter how big or small.

"We just need their help, their assistance. That one donation goes out to these 28 different programs," Bledsoe said. "A lot of people don't realize when they give to the United Way those agencies are able to multiply the donation they receive. Some agencies can get five times as much money leveraged by a United Way donation."

Approximately 99 percent of the money donated stays local, and where it goes is decided by an allocation committee made up of local people.

Donations can be sent to United Way, 214 Spruce St., Texarkana, TX 75504. Donations can also be made at texarkanaunitedway.org.

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