Final push toward United Way's $4.6M goal. A Q&A
With the 2024 campaign winding down, United Way campaign chair encourages a chance to find your ‘why’ to support work by 25 agencies.
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Sponsorship help for this edition also comes from Purdue Musical Organizations. The 91st Annual Purdue Christmas Show is the must-see event of the year! Gather your family and friends, and create lasting memories as you sing along to your favorite songs and marvel at the extraordinary Purdue student talent on display. Get tickets here.
FINAL PUSH TOWARD UNITED WAY’S $4.6M GOAL
A final push is on in the coming week at United Way of Greater Lafayette, as leaders of the 2024 campaign head toward the finish line, still looking to hit a $4.6 million goal to help fund 25 community nonprofit agencies in the coming year.
"Now is the time for our community to come together and make a difference," Andrew Ball, co-CEO at Henriott Group and this year’s United Way campaign chairman, said.
The last day of the campaign will be Thursday, with an event scheduled from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at DoubleTree Lafayette, 155 Progress Drive.
Question: We’re a week out from the end of the United Way campaign. Where do things stand with pledges, compared to the goal?
Andrew Ball: Our goal this year is $4.6 million. This was a slight increase to the $4.51 million that the campaign achieved in 2023. We are pushing hard to get to the goals, but it’s not across the line yet.
Question: What have you been hearing positive in the past few months during the campaign that make you hopeful to reach that goal?
Andrew Ball: There are a number of positives. We have several new campaigns, new donors, a significant social media presence, new fun ideas that have generated excitement and opportunity. I’m also incredibly thankful for the team of cabinet volunteers and United Way staff members that are constantly reaching out to past and new donors and generating significant excitement as we power through the final week. I’m hopeful because we are a strong and connected community that knows how to get things done.
Question: At the same time, what headwinds are out there this year for the campaign?
Andrew Ball: Our local and national economy is generally strong, but for many it is still a tale of two economies. Certain segments of manufacturing have been recessionary for some periods of time, others can’t keep up. At the end of the day, each individual has to assess their own specific situation and lean in and support where they can and how they can. We are a strong and caring community. There’s a reason for the expression, “It takes a village.”
Question: As you’re approaching people – or even re-approaching them to dig deeper – what’s been your pitch? And has that changed at all as you near the finish line?
Andrew Ball: I love this question. First as campaign chair, I am fortunate that there is a machine of volunteers and “internal campaign coordinators” that just do an amazing job of internalizing and personalizing the messaging that resonates the most to their team and their associates. It is these folks along with the United Way team that do the heavy lifting and truly make it happen. While it is clearly easier to go back to existing donors, who already know the mission of our local United Way and the 25 local funded partners, my messaging and focus has been to broaden our base and seek new opportunities, make new connections and grow the donor base.
Question: What else should people know as the 2024 campaign winds down, including what they can do to help?
Andrew Ball: Most importantly there is still time, six days. Every contribution at every level is needed and will be put to efficient and effective use in our community. If your readers are already engaged with United Way, they can tell their “why” to a friend a colleague a neighbor. You never know when that might be the deciding factor between giving or not.
To support the 2024 campaign, go to www.uwlafayette.org/donate.
For information about lining up a company United Way drive, check www.uwlafayette.org or contact unitedway@uwlafayette.org.
The United Way helps support these agencies: The American Red Cross, The Arc Tippecanoe County, Bauer Family Resources, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boy Scouts of America Sagamore Council, Lyn Treece Boys & Girls Club, Food Finders Food Bank, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, Hanna Community Center, Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana, Lafayette Adult Resource Academy, Legal Aid Corp. of Tippecanoe County, LTHC Homeless Services, Mental Health America-Wabash Valley Region, NAMI West Central Indiana, Riggs Community Health Center, Right Steps Child Development Centers, The Salvation Army, Tippecanoe Senior Services, Lafayette Family YMCA, Heartford House, HomesteadCS, Willowstone Family Services, Wabash Center and YWCA Greater Lafayette.
THIS AND THAT/OTHER READS …
ABOUT THE IEDC LEADER’S EXIT PLAN: As members of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration angle for a way out and into other jobs – a natural transition with a new administration on the way – this was an interesting moment Thursday before the State Ethics Commission, as reported by Indiana Capital Chronicle’s Leslie Bonilla-Muñiz. David Rosenberg, Indiana’s commerce secretary and head of the Indiana Economic Development Corp., withdrew his request to waive job change conflict-of-interest requirements, after Ethics Commission members pressed him about what sort of job he had lined up at Indiana University. From Bonilla-Muñiz’s story:
“We would be establishing a new program in an industry sector that is aligned with IU and their focus areas, building a team to do that,” Rosenberg said, as Commissioner Corinne Finnerty interrupted: “To do what? Building a team to do what?”
When Rosenberg said he couldn’t answer, Finnerty asked, “Because you don’t know, or because you’re trying to hide something?”
Rosenberg denied that allegation, but Finnerty said the commission couldn’t ensure no overlap between Rosenberg’s roles if members didn’t understand his new duties.
Read the full piece here: “IEDC head David Rosenberg withdraws ‘premature’ conflict of interest ask.”
BIG GAME AT MACKEY TONIGHT: IndyStar’s Nathan Baird breaks it down an early season matchup against a fellow Final Four entry from last year: “No. 2 Alabama embodies Purdue basketball's top-tier scheduling philosophy: Test yourself.” (And, yes, it really is National Bundt Cake Day, as Purdue basketball reminded everyone Wednesday morning.)
TSC ENERGY SAVINGS: Tippecanoe School Corp. school board got to do the big check thing this week, when Duke Energy delivered more than $217,000 in rebates for installation of energy-efficient lighting, lighting controls and HVAC equipment tied to the company’s Smart Saver program. Duke touts the program as providing approximately $10 million in incentives and rebates to Indiana business customers in the past year, according to a company release. For TSC, the upgrades accounted for 700,000 kilowatt-hours of saved energy per year, according to Duke. “Our collaboration with Duke Energy has helped us work toward sustainable and energy-efficient school designs,” TSC Superintendent Scott Hanback said. “We’re grateful for their continued support, which helps us reduce operating costs while teaching our students the value of environmental responsibility.”
AND FINALLY … ICYMI, TIM’S PICKS WITH 5 (PLUS 1) CHOICE IDEAS FOR YOUR WEEK: Civic Theatre, two shows at Long Center for the Performing Arts, a collab show that includes Friends of Bob Live Music Co-op coming out of semi-retirement, the Tippecanoe Chamber Music Society and more, via correspondent Tim Brouk.
Thanks, again, to Stuart & Branigin for sponsorship help with today’s edition.
Thanks for support from Purdue Musical Organizations, presenting the 91st Annual Purdue Christmas Show, Dec. 7-8. Get tickets here.
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