United Way hopes for generosity despite hard times

By Al Everson
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Nov 20, 2008 - 3:45:24pm

Individuals and companies have fewer dollars to give away this year, but the United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties still hopes to raise more funds this year than it did in 2007 — but maybe not much more.

"Last year, we raised $3.1 million, and anything on the plus side of that would be a success," United Way Executive Director Ray Salazar said.

Last year, Salazar said, the United Way fell $100,000 short of its goal.

"As the economy struggles, people become more conservative, and that's understandable," he said.

United Way contributions are often made through employers; Salazar knows there may be less as unemployment rises.

"If people are not working, they're not giving pledges," he said.

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Salazar echoed the past experience of other nonprofit causes, whose support mostly comes from people of rather limited means rather than the well-to-do. Donors include those who, themselves, have been helped by member organizations.

"Because they're close to the problem, or because they experience it themselves, they'll give," he said.

The United Way's 2008 fundraising campaign, which began in August, ends Dec. 31.

As well as individuals who give at the office or in response to other appeals, the United Way relies heavily on corporate donations.

"Our biggest corporate supporter is Publix Supermarkets," Salazar said.

Other prominent contributors are the International Speedway Corp. and Brown and Brown Insurance.

Forty-five agencies are under the United Way of Volusia umbrella, including such well-known charities as the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, and the Salvation Army, along with local agencies like The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia, The House Next Door, and Halifax Urban Ministries.

"We fund 83 programs out of those agencies," Salazar said.

United Way will distribute money from the current campaign to member agencies in the spring.

— al@beacononlinenews.com

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