Carla Clark | For The Republic Mark Stewart, president of the United Way of Bartholomew County, speaks during the United Way of Bartholomew County annual meeting at the Commons, Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
People are not numbers — and their lives are far more valuable than dollars.
That has been a central message that United Way of Bartholomew County leaders have been conveying at least since December if people asked about the annual fundraising campaign. The fund drive has been successful enough even in its more struggling years in the past decade to still annually lead the state’s United Way campaigns in per-capita giving most every year.
And the recently completed campaign spotlights pretty much the same ending — at $4.3 million dollars, again leading the state in per capita giving at $51.80 per resident, and ranking in the top 5 percent nationwide among United Way campaigns, according to figures.
But, in an attempt to keep the focus on its efforts to help residents achieve self-sufficiency and overcome other hurdles, United Way leaders departed from decades-long tradition at Tuesday’s annual meeting before about 300 people at The Commons in downtown Columbus.
They purposely and entirely skipped the grand total announcement. They quietly released the figure after the meeting to media.
“We want to keep the focus on the impact (of the work),” said Magen Pillar, United Way’s director of communications and marketing.
They did exactly that, highlighting a story or two of those who got a wide range of help from certified United Way agencies to make their way from poverty to independence (statistics show that one in three families in Bartholomew County do not earn enough to meet their family’s basic budget). And yes, they interspersed those successes with plentiful gratitude to donors, sponsors and collaborators.
United Way of Bartholomew County President Mark Stewart was among those expressing thankfulness.
“The lasting impact that we create together would not be possible without our amazing donors, advocates, and volunteers,” Stewart said.
United Way’s work is especially important because its programs reach roughly one-third of Bartholomew County’s approximate 83,000 residents, according to the non-profit’s figures. That population ranges from youngsters at the Foundation for Youth after-school programs to senior exercise participants at Mill Race Center for people age 50-plus.
Stewart focused most of his early remarks at the meeting on United Way’s two current, overarching initiatives — lifting 1,000 families out of poverty in 2,000 days, which it announced a year ago, and reducing homelessness.
United Way leaders were part of recent homelessness public forum that attracted 143 people, including the homeless themselves. One man named Carl who had been homeless for seven years spoke to the crowd and touched Stewart’s heart.
“He said what saved him – what really made the difference — was when people showed him love,” Stewart said, his voice sounding emotional. “It was a beautiful moment and one that I will always remember.
“As our community tackles the daunting challenge of significantly reducing homelessness, we will need a lot of help. We will need additional financial resources. But as Carl taught us, perhaps the most important thing we will need is more love.”
Mayor Mary Ferdon saluted United Way especially for taking on the homeless issue. She reminded the crowd that she understands many of United Way’s challenges because, a few years ago, she led what is now VIMCare.
“And I can tell you it’s difficult work,” Ferdon said. “I learned the true meaning of generational poverty as we assisted patients who dealt with financial obstacles, language barriers, health issues, and lack of transportation. Poverty was not the real problem.
“It was and is just a consequence. The underlying causes of lack of education, low employment, addiction, criminal history, and other reinforcing behaviors almost guarantee our patients couldn’t get out of the cycle.
“Our patients wanted them and their children to succeed and have choices, but they needed help to take the necessary steps.”
United Way awards
Live United: Rich Gold, for years of service on the board and more.
Give: Landmark Farms Foundation with Ro and Charles “Shorty” Whittington.
Advocate: Britt Brewer.
Volunteer of the Year: Cindy Rutan and Bob Layman.
United Way awards
Live United: Rich Gold, for years of service on the board and more.
Give: Landmark Farms Foundation with Ro and Charles “Shorty” Whittington.
Advocate: Britt Brewer.
Volunteer of the Year: Cindy Rutan and Bob Layman.
