United Way of Greater Cincinnati announced its 2017 annual community campaign goal of $62.2 million Thursday morning at United Way’s “Stories That Unite Us,” a special community breakfast at Duke Energy Convention Center.
The campaign will support United Way’s work to drive change in people’s lives in the areas of health, education and financial stability in the organization’s 10-county, 3-state service area. United Way is expanding its support to help lift the 600,000 children, families and individuals throughout greater Cincinnati currently living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level ($49,200 annual income for a family of four.) One in three people in our region is unable to meet basic needs due to poverty, according to the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census.
“We cannot continue to stay this course,” said Gary T. “Doc” Huffman, 2017 United Way of Greater Cincinnati Campaign Chair and Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer of Ohio National Financial Services. “Cincinnati has the sixth highest child poverty rate in the nation. Now more than ever, our community needs us. Ohio National Financial Services is proud to join United Way as a leader in this fight. It will take all of us to make a difference.”
In addition to expanding opportunity for those who struggle to meet basic needs, United Way will continue to serve people in need across all income levels.
“United Way improves the lives of 365,000 people every year in 10 counties across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. That’s 1,000 people per day,” Huffman said. “The potential for impact is huge. But we need every person and every dollar. United Way brings people and organizations together to do what no one person or group could do alone. United Way invests and innovates to tackle the toughest problems in our region. We are poised to make a big difference and I look forward to seeing what this community can do together.”
United Way of Greater Cincinnati President Rob Reifsnyder joined Huffman and a crowd of more than 600 at the campaign kickoff breakfast.
“Doc’s passion and determination surrounding this year’s campaign are contagious,” Reifsnyder said. “I hope you can feel this excitement too. I am thankful for his support and the support of everyone in our community. Together we will lead the transformative work in the areas of: kindergarten readiness and school success, financial stability through sustained employment, good health and independence.”
Garren Colvin, CEO of St. Elizabeth Healthcare, is heading the Northern Kentucky campaign.
The annual United Way campaign supports individuals living in Hamilton, Clermont and Brown counties and the Middletown area in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, Grant, and Kenton counties in Northern Kentucky, and Dearborn and Ohio counties in Southeastern Indiana. The campaign is a fundraising partnership of United Way and The Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the American Red Cross.
The campaign ends October 27. Give online here.
What is the cost of the dinners for the united way? If it a non profit they should act like one. If the the dinner was paid for by donors , why not donate it the general fund. Wake up.