United Way of Greater Texarkana has reached 49 percent of its $900,000 fundraising goal, slightly behind the 51 percent it had raised at this time last year.
"Last year at this time we were at $462,000 of our $900,000 goal. This year we're sitting at $437,000," said Mark Bledsoe, United Way president/CEO. Last year's campaign ultimately brought in a little more than $750,000.
Many of the larger donors have already turned in their numbers, but at least one is still out and many nationwide corporations don't release their numbers until later.
"We'll have everything wrapped up by the end of February," Bledsoe said.
It's important for the United Way to get as close to its goal as possible. The money raised is granted to local nonprofit agencies for programs focused on improving education, health and income.
"Ninety-nine percent of this money stays local," Bledsoe said. "The United Way is trying to take care of the overall needs of the community, not just one specific area. We're not handing out fish but trying to teach people to fish for long-term results and long-term solutions. That's the kind of programs we sponsor. We're the organization that's got our arms around the entire community. I really see us as being that organization that's not just focused on one need. We keep our fingers on the pulse of the community and those needs do change."
Where the United Way's money goes is decided by local volunteers.
"All the decisions about how campaign funds are spent are made by local volunteers. It's not the staff at the United Way. These volunteers come from all walks of life within the community. We try to have a good demographic breakdown that represents our area. Between 20 and 22 people serve on that community," Bledsoe said.
Agencies that receive financial support from the United Way are able to use those funds as leverage for matching grants and bring even more money into the community for social service programs.
"That is key, being able to leverage those funds. When they get the letter from United Way it's like having money in the bank," Bledsoe said. "When they're making applications for grants they're required to have money from the community. Opportunities is able to multiply that money seven times. It's a huge multiplying effect for our area and goes along way in taking care of needs."
It's not too late for businesses or individuals in the community to get involved in the campaign.
"If they're a smaller office and they'd like to have a campaign we invite them to call us," Bledsoe said.
Donations to the campaign can be mailed to the United Way, 214 Spruce St., Texarkana, Texas, 75501, or donations can be made online at texarkanaunitedway.org.
The United Way is currently sponsoring 28 different programs in this area.
"If people ever want to see where their money is going, all they have to do is give us a call and we'll set up a visit for them to see any of the programs we sponsor," he said.
For more information, call the United Way office at 903-794-3105.