Falling short? No way!
No one likes to admit they’ve fallen short of an important goal, but achieving the desired result isn’t always within one’s control.
Sam Uhl, who chaired this year’s Harrison County United Way campaign, announced last week that the 2001 campaign raised $392,403 with some additional donations expected. That’s about $94,600 less than the county’s goal of $487,000.
Uhl said 2001 was a year when “just about anything that could go wrong” did. He didn’t place blame or criticize; he simply stated the facts that help explain the shortfall.
He also thanked everyone who helped with the campaign for a “marvelous job.”
Rightly so. The Metro United Way campaign officially began on Sept. 11, with the kickoff celebration coming almost simultaneously with the terrorists’ attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The United Way campaign wasn’t as successful as everyone had hoped, but consider what Harrison Countians have funded to date this year:
‘ The annual March of Dimes WalkAmerica collected $11,380;
‘ Cruisin’ for a Cure car show to benefit the Lupus Foundation netted $2,300;
‘ The Heart Walk raised $40,000;
‘ Muscular Dystrophy posted $7,000 in bail;
‘ Students in the North Harrison Community School Corp. donated $6,285 for the New York Relief Fund;
‘ Relay for Life deposited $77,000 for the American Cancer Society;
‘ Firefighters and others here gathered $143,071 for the WHAS Crusade for Children.
Combined with the Harrison County United Way campaign, that’s $679,439.
Then there’s the $300,000 pledged during the Founders’ Campaign for the YMCA of Harrison County
Other fund-raising events for which I don’t have totals include Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, sponsored by the Rotarians; Pennies from Heaven, by Hospice; firefighters’ collection for the New York City relief; the Friday Night Coffeehouse at Corydon Presbyterian Church; and student Lucas Brown’s collection efforts for the poor and homeless.
Residents also donated money to fund-raisers for individuals, such as Josh Smitley and Riley Fravel.
Then there are those worthwhile causes that you just can’t put a dollar to, such as the Harrison County Repair Affair and blood drives.
After all this, if you have some money left over, the Salvation Army has kettles out for donations, and Conservation Officer Terry Allen is collecting for the American Diabetes Association. I’m sure there are other opportunities also available.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let us also remember what we’ve accomplished this year. Individually, our contributions may seem insignificant, but when combined with others, it’s incredible.
As Uhl said about the United Way campaign, “We should be happy with what we’ve done.”
I wonder what we’ll achieve next year. The possibilities are endless.
