In August, the United Way of Western Nebraska announced their $400,000 campaign fundraising goal; today campaign chairs announced final totals.
During the half-year of fundraising, a whopping $431,533 was raised to help more than two dozen partner agencies across the WyoBraska region.
“We’re proud to announce that we hit our goal, and that surpassed that by about seven percent,” said United Way campaign co-chair Sam Mark. “Thanks mostly to the hard work of the United Way co-chairs and everybody that donated. We can’t do this without them.”
Campaign co-chair Monica Shambaugh also said that hitting this year’s total could not be accomplished without the pacesetter businesses.
“37 pacesetter businesses, they produced $237,530 of that amount,” she said. “And then, of course, we’ve got all those people who participated in the Duck Draw and the Color Dash and, you know, just handing over some money to the United Way because you had a few extra dollars in your pocket. So thank you so much for supporting all of the businesses or all the nonprofits that get money from the United Way. And we can’t wait to be able to find out who’s going to get it in 2024 or 2025.”
Kiersten Richards, the third campaign co-chair also noted that Radiothon raised $11,000. She also said she’s seen firsthand the good that the United Way has done down her hometown of Sidney with efforts of feeding the hungry.
Executive Director Karen Benzel says that despite surpassing the goal, there was never certainty of reaching the $400,000 mark. She said constant communication with the campaign co-chairs this year helped keep the group focused on crossing the finish line.
Sam Mark concluded by saying that every dollar donated to the United Way makes a difference.
” Remember that every dollar counts. You know, it’s a proof positive with the goal we reached this year that everybody’s dollar counted. Since 99% of that money stays local, it’s going right back to our communities, to the communities that need it, the people that need it to fight hunger, homelessness, reading for kids, libraries. There are so many things that the United Way helps with. It touches everybody.”
Currently volunteers are going through applications from agencies across the Panhandle and Eastern Wyoming for funding for next year, and the $431,533 raised will be allocated for the soon-to-be-selected partner agencies.
