By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Although the amount raised for the United Way of Ellis County (UWEC) 2017 campaign was short of its $450,000 goal, “we did reach $395,000, which does make an impact in Ellis County,” said UWEC Executive Director Sherry Dryden. The campaign concluded Jan. 31.
The goal for the past three years was $450,000. The past two years, $415,000 was raised during each campaign.
For 2017, the United Way opened up the application process and now has 15 partner agencies. For years, there was little change to the number of core groups supported by UWEC. A community survey found people “asking for more agencies to participate,” Dryden said, “so we opened up the application process.”
The volunteers who make up the CARE Council reviewed all the applications, conducted site visits, and made recommendations to the United Way board.
“Based on their recommendations, we did add a couple of agencies, which is exciting.” However, Dryden stressed “each agency must have community impact and we need to make sure we’re going in a direction that truly benefits our communities in Ellis County.”
The agencies have a level of accountability that must be met throughout the entire year.
“That also is a process of the CARE Council as well as the board of directors, seeing how and what the agencies are doing.”
Every United Way agency must follow United Way Worldwide guidelines. Flexibility is allowed to meet the needs of each specific region. “Guidelines for one part of the United States versus rural Kansas are going to be a little different,” Dryden pointed out.
The local United Way, like many other charitable organizations, is concerned about a potential drop in donations this year under the new federal tax plan.
The standard deduction for individuals and families is nearly doubled — $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for married couples. People who have routinely deducted their charitable contributions might stop giving if they no longer get a tax savings from the gifts.
On the other hand, most Americans are now getting a larger paycheck thanks to the tax plan approved by Congressman. “Why not donate that ‘extra’ money to the United Way?” suggested Dryden, adding that the strategy will play a role in the 2018 United Way campaign.
According to Dryden, less than 20 percent of the campaign fund is used for administrative costs.
The UWEC annual meeting will be held Thu., March 8, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., in the first floor conference room of the Hadley Center, 205 E. 7th. The public is invited to attend.
“The United Way of Ellis County is grateful for all the business and individual partners, both new and existing who gave this year,” Dryden said. “New events such as Power of the Purse, the Pumpkin Patch Roll and Fun Run, and a new format for Dine Out Days have been great for filling some of the shortfall areas experienced by the United Way.”
Another new opportunity for the United Way was formation of the Wonder Women League (WWL) affinity group, which has planned another Power of the Purse event on April 18. “This is the 65th year for the United Way of Ellis County and some exciting plans are in the works for fun events throughout the year.” More information is available on the United Way Facebook page and website www.liveunited.us.
See an extended interview with Sherry Dryden and UWEC 2017 Campaign Chair and WWL co-chair Nancy Jeter with Mike Cooper on Community Connection.