OTTUMWA —
The United Way of Wapello County is more than a checkbook for nonprofit agencies, but the $533,000 they raised during its 2012 Annual Community Giving Campaign will go a long way toward making a difference.
“We’re able to do a lot of good work with the money,” said Desiree Johnson, president and CEO for the United Way of Wapello County. “We combine the donations from thousands of people across the community and invest that in programs that are focused on education, income and health.
They’ll announce specific 2013 program investments next week, she said.
Even with more than half a million dollars entrusted to them by the people of the community, it’s a bit less than in some previous years — but those were record-setting years. Their goal next year will indirectly factor in the more fragile economy.
“We always look at what we raised the year before and take that into consideration,” Johnson said. “Our board looked at how we could come up with new ways to improve our campaign and bring in more funds. One of the things we’re going to look at is having more of a year-round engagement with the companies that support the United Way.”
She said John Deere Ottumwa Works is one of the businesses that supports the United Way. During the most recent campaign, they achieved “the largest annual combined workplace and retiree campaign total” in United Way’s 71-year history, raising $105,477.
But it takes more than just money to see real change in a community.
“Key to the successful implementation of the strategies is the continued commitment of citizens, philanthropists and business leaders,” says Tony Floden, chairman of the United Way of Wapello County Board of Directors.
“We are about more than money,” Johnson said. “We’re looking at community impact. Our community definitely has some challenges, but we also have some great opportunities to work together to bring about community-level change.”
In fact, that’s something supported by the United Way of Wapello County. When they discover one small group of people who want to make a difference, the United Way makes an effort to hook them up with another small group or two. That combination means they’re all pulling in the same direction, allowing them to accomplish a task together which might not have been possible alone.
Johnson said the United Way is recruiting people and organizations with “the passion, expertise and commitment” to make Wapello County a better place to live.
“We’re at that point where over the next year or two, you’re going to see some positive changes in the community. As I go out into the community,” she said, “I see people working together a lot more, communicating more, to get things done.”
For a complete list of the 2012 Campaign Awards and Recognitions, visit the United Way website at www.wapellocouw.org.
Local News
March 22, 2013
United Way campaign making a difference
- Local News
-
- Tornado creates local questions OTTUMWA — If there's a tornado in Wapello County, where would I go afterwards? It isn't hard to understand why local callers are asking Wapello County Emergency Management that question. Josh Stevens, emergency coordinator for the county, said since
- A waiting game OTTUMWA — Family and friends of a hospitalized toddler are waiting for answers, as are local police. On April 22, officers found a 2-year-old boy unresponsive at his home in the 100 block of East Woodland Avenue. He was immediately transported to Ott
-
Training goes beyond fires
OTTUMWA — Our firefighters aren't afraid to run into a fire, said one official, but when it comes to a Hazmat situation, they walk. On Wednesday, the Ottumwa Fire Department was on the grounds of Cargill Meat Solutions, training as realistically as p
-
Hedrick teen missing
OTTUMWA — A 13-year-old Hedrick girl has been reported missing. Hunter Kopp, 13, was last seen leaving the Hedrick area (her hometown) around 6 p.m. Monday. Kopp is a white female, 130 pounds, 5-feet-7-inches, with shoulder-length brown hair and blue
- Veterinary clinic rezoned to commercial OTTUMWA -- The Ottumwa Veterinary Clinic is now officially a commercial district. At Tuesday's city council meeting, members voted 4-1 to approve the rezoning of the clinic from R-1 Single Family Residential to C-1 Commercial District, with Councilma
- Ottumwa lands 2015 Iowa Tourism Conference OTTUMWA — It takes two southeast Iowa communities to yank the opportunity to host the Iowa Tourism Conference from Des Moines. Ottumwa Area Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Mark Eckman was stunned by how quickly the Iowa Tourism Offi
- County to learn about disaster declarations OTTUMWA — The county is a step closer to finding out if they'll be getting money from the federal government. "FEMA was here last week, doing a damage assessment," said Wapello County Engineer Brian Moore during a meeting of the Wapello County Board
-
Oklahoma emergency crews will report specific needs soon
OTTUMWA — The sound of the telephone ringing is evidence to Julie Smithart that residents of Wapello County do care. The tornado damage to lives and property in Oklahoma has brought out the best in people, said Smithart, an AmeriCorps volunteer assig
-
Barber shows no signs of cutting career short
OTTUMWA -- Darrell Smith's hands are steady and sure as he picks up his clippers and straight razor to begin his first haircut and shave of the day. Smith, 88, has cut hair for 62 years and has owned Smitty's Barber Shop on Albia Road for the past 58
- Making memories on stage -- and off OTTUMWA -- Sold-out shows last year inspired Bridge View Center management to continue finding high-quality acts, they announced Monday. The venue's executive director, Larry Gawronski, said last year, booking good, expensive shows was a "leap of f
- More Local News Headlines
