Donations still pour in despite down economy

By Nicole Strittmater
Central Wisconsin Sunday

United Way campaign leaders in central Wisconsin say despite another year of recession, people realize that now is a more important time than ever to donate.

People are rallying together for the good of their communities, and leaders say they have every indication their campaign goals will be reached.

In two months, The United Way of Portage County raised $360,000, nearly 16 percent of its $2.35 million goal. The contributions fund the agency's 34 partner programs.

"There definitely is a trend of taking care of each other (here). (The recession is) exactly a reason to give, because you never know when it could be you who needs the help," said Laura Janssen, director of marketing and communications.

While Portage County declared a monetary goal, United Way of Inner Wisconsin, which serves South Wood and Adams counties, and Marshfield Area United Way, which serves Wood and Clark counties, haven't. They are taking a different approach by trying to impact a certain number of lives --- 35,000 and 13,000, respectively.

"We really just try to take that approach with it because of our concern with the economy. We're trying to shift our focus (to) how does the funding impact the community versus trying to get to this dollar amount," said Tari Jahns, chief executive officer of United Way of Inner Wisconsin.

Currently, it has raised enough to serve 25 percent of the 35,000 people. Last year, the campaign raised $905,000, which was enough to impact 35,000 lives, in the group's estimation. United Way of Inner Wisconsin provides funding to 62 programs through 39 agencies.

This year's campaign began Sept. 1 and ends Oct. 31.

While Portage County declared a monetary goal, United Way of Inner Wisconsin, which serves South Wood and Adams counties, and Marshfield Area United Way, which serves Wood and Clark counties, haven't. They are taking a different approach by trying to impact a certain number of lives --- 35,000 and 13,000, respectively.

"We really just try to take that approach with it because of our concern with the economy. We're trying to shift our focus (to) how does the funding impact the community versus trying to get to this dollar amount," said Tari Jahns, chief executive officer of United Way of Inner Wisconsin.

Currently, it has raised enough to serve 25 percent of the 35,000 people. Last year, the campaign raised $905,000, which was enough to impact 35,000 lives, in the group's estimation. United Way of Inner Wisconsin provides funding to 62 programs through 39 agencies.

This year's campaign began Sept. 1 and ends Oct. 31.

Marshfield Area United Way, which has 37 partner programs, began its campaign at the beginning of August and ends at the end of November.

"We're definitely seeing an increase of needs in the area," Marshfield Area United Way executive director Paula Jero said.

A school-supply drive attracted 100 additional families this year, and free and reduced-cost lunch rates have gone up in schools, she said. The number of people who called the United Way 211 number, which is a line people can call to find information about services in the area, has increased significantly.

Normally, there might be 14 calls a day, but now, there are times when there are 14 calls an hour, she said.