‘Every little bit helps’: Local United Way hoping to hit $400K fundraising goal
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MARQUETTE -- United Way of Marquette County is getting closer to its annual fundraising goal of $400,000, but donations are still needed.
"We're at 92 percent of our goal, but we still need that last push to let us hit that goal," said Andrew Rickauer, executive director of UWMC. "That goal is set up to fill basic community needs and impact areas, to help our neighbors and help our community grow and rebound."
While UWMC has seen an increase in volunteers over the last month, there's always room for more.
"Volunteerism is down from past years," Rickauer said. "We're really trying to find more activities for volunteers that can be done virtually. People in the community want to help, but they want to make sure it's done safely. We've seen over the last month an increase in volunteers. That's been a very positive change and we're hoping that's going to continue to increase and things open up and more people get vaccinated."
Looking ahead, Rickauer still hopes to achieve this year's fundraising goal by May 14, but realizes that United Way is one of many nonprofits facing fundraising challenges as needs rise.
"Right now it's hard to say," he said. "From the research I've done, nonprofits are going to take six to 10 years to rebound, but we're hoping to rebound much quicker. I'd like to be able to hit our goal or exceed it for next year and hopefully increase it. I know demands are going to continue to be increased, and they won't go back down to pre-pandemic levels for several years.
"Needs will continue to be up and we're really hoping that over the next year we can rise to the occasion and meet those needs."
For those interested in donating or volunteering, Rickauer said the UWMC website is the best place to start.
"You can donate there with either a one-time donation or a quarterly or monthly sustainer," he said. "You can also volunteer and find volunteer needs in the community all at one central source. The best thing (the public) can do now is if they can help share the word that we're really hoping to hit our goal and we have until mid-May to make it happen. Every little bit helps. Small donations add up and keep the community going."
Donations can also be made via check by mailing them to P.O. Box 73, 1414 W. Fair Ave. Suite No. 26, Marquette, MI 49855. Checks can also be dropped off at the UWMC office.
All donations stay within Marquette County and go toward helping the community with basic needs, the elderly, adults with disabilities, medical assistance, health care programs, youth programs and more.
For more information about United Way of Marquette County or to make a donation or volunteer, visit www.uwmqt.org or call 906-226-8171.
Ryan Spitza can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. His email address is rspitza@miningjournal.net.