March 28, 2024

United Way kicks off annual campaign with $363K goal

Travis Padget admitted that setting the United Way of Jasper County’s fundraising campaign goal at $363,000 last year was lofty. Despite falling $43,000 short of that goal, the outgoing executive director was undeterred, and this year’s goal is again $363,000.

Padget introduced the goal at Thursday’s UWJC campaign kick-off event, which will be his last as executive director. Although the goal is the same, had UWJC raised $365,000, it could’ve met all 17 of its partner agencies needs 100 percent, Padget said.

“Our goal is $363,000 and it’s really an obtainable goal. If you look at it, it’s only a 10 percent increase (per current donor). So if you think about people that give $25, ask them to give $30 or $27.50. Just a 10 percent increase — 10 percent isn’t a big increase,” Padget said.

A number of nonprofit agencies in Jasper County are dependent on funds from the UWJC, which receives no funding from the national United Way organization and gets its funds solely through local donations.

“Ten percent isn’t a big difference. If somebody gives $1,000 — $1,100 isn’t a huge increase out of their pocket, but in the end when its accumulative, it makes a huge difference for us and ultimately, it makes a huge difference for the agencies sitting around the table with you,” Padget said.

During his speech, Padget gave specifics on what UWJC does for each of its partner agencies. He spoke on how it allocates funds toward Clearview Recovery to provide women with substance abuse recovery and parenting classes and how they support the senior transportation program at RSVP.

Jessica Lowe, the incoming executive director of UWJC, shared a personal anecdote on how she benefited from funds that are allocated to the Newton YMCA.

“When I moved to town nine years ago this month, I didn’t know a single person. Not a single soul. Then I started working at the Newton Daily News — I don’t know if you remember but coming out of college there is no money. No money to be had coming right out of college,” Lowe said.

Lowe said that she eventually made a friend in town, who then told her she should join the Y. She said she was apprehensive about joining because her funds were limited and she didn’t know what else she could eliminate from her household budget.

“I applied for a scholarship, and for $20 a month I had a membership to the YMCA. By having that membership, I met people — some people in this room. I met the lady I bought my house from and I ended up getting a part-time job at YMCA,” Lowe said.

She said she ended up getting a full-time job at the YMCA, where she met more people.

“Now, I am here before you as executive director (of UWJC),” Lowe said.

People often ask about success stories spurred by donations to the UWJC, she said that because of her experiences, she counts herself as one.

“Without that scholarship to the YMCA, I do not know how my life would have been different. What an amazing gift you guys have given to me and that 23-year-old Jessica Lowe who didn’t know what she was doing in a new town,” Lowe said.

Padget emphasized that stories like Lowe’s are what giving to UWJC is all about. He said it doesn’t raise money for itself, but in an effort to try and support as many well-meaning organizations as they can in Jasper County.

With the kick-off now officially underway until Nov. 14, Padget remains hopeful that this year the organization will meet the $363,000 mark so that it can continue to adequately fund its partner agencies.

He’s championing using a word-of-mouth style campaign to help raise funds this year. Padget pointed out the success the Newton Salvation Army, another partner agency, is having thanks to the “Fill up Your Trunk” campaign launched to garner donations for its food pantry.

Since last Friday, the pantry has received more than 1,200 pounds of food.

“All it is spreading the word and telling somebody … That’s all it is,” Padget said.

Contact Senior Staff Writer Ty Rushing at (641) 792-3121 ext. 6532 or at trushing@newtondailynews.com.