The United Way Baytown Area (UWBA) has exceeded the halfway mark of its 2009-10 campaign goal and plans to continue workplace campaigns to raise more funds.
The group’s progress toward a goal of $2.65 million is currently at 59 percent. Money collected by the organization helps to assist nonprofit agencies within the Baytown community to facilitate programs.
“United Way helps provide what people need, when they need it,” Executive Director of UWBA David Mohlman said.
The organization assists agencies in many areas; some may include childcare, food, domestic violence, legal assistance and family counseling.
“A strong United Way helps make these kinds of things possible,” Mohlman said.
Who decides how donations are spent? Community investment volunteers visit agencies and review programs and budgets to assure that every dollar is allocated correctly.
“The funds raised here stay here,” Campaign Director Kris Berry said. “Without local pledges, it can be difficult for agencies to meet their needs.”
Some local agencies receive up to 80 percent of their funding through pledges. Despite a common misconception, Berry says, the majority of pledges come from individuals through work place campaigns, not companies and corporations.
Seventy-one percent of pledges collected for the 2008-09 campaign came through payroll deduction, and this helped the organization exceed last year’s goal by 12 percent.
The official end date of this year’s campaign is Nov. 20, but Berry says companies can continue to participate in workplace campaigns at any time.
For information, call 281-424-5922 or visit www.unitedwaybaytownarea.org.