United Way sets campaign goal of $15 million

Acknowledging that “the needs of our community are great this year,” United Way campaign chairman Jeff Beasley announced a goal of $15 million for the annual fundraising drive.

It’s the lowest goal for United Way in at least four years.

“It’s an ambitious goal in these times, with everything going on,” Beasley said. “One thing you can always say about the people of Wichita is that they have always strongly supported the United Way.”

Leaders of the annual drive announced childhood reading as one of the “impact issues” for this year’s campaign. Those attending the kickoff breakfast Thursday at Century II were asked to bring a children’s book to donate. They packed about 400 small boxes with the books and notes of encouragement before heading to work.

Carmen Tamerius, who works for EMC Insurance, called the book drive “fantastic.”

“It’s so great they’re doing this for the kids,” Tamerius said as she folded a cardboard box into shape.

“I think the hardest part for us so far has just been building the box,” she added with a laugh. “I think we’re getting on a roll here, it’s so great.”

Roger Stamback, who volunteers at the Kansas School for Effective Learning, said the focus on reading is important.

“We work with kids that didn’t have the education when they were young,” Stamback said.

By helping students overcome obstacles with reading when they are young, he said, the need for programs such as KANSEL can be reduced.

The results of the United Way fall campaign will be announced in November.

“It’s more challenging every year” for those in need, Beasley said.

“Some of our local organizations have had their source funding either reduced or cut,” he said. “It makes you ask the question, ‘Who’s going to fill that gap?’”

Last year’s goal was $15.1 million, and as recently as 2012 the goal was $15.6 million.

This year’s goal is “the right dollar amount for what we need to achieve with our community,” Beasley said.

He’s confident local residents will respond to the campaign.

“It’s simple to understand helping a child to read and what improvements it makes to their lives,” he said.

Beyond that, he said, “there have been so many programs that the United Way sponsors or funds that have actually touched people’s lives.

“I think everyone has a personal story that relates to some of our funded programs.”

This story was originally published September 10, 2015 at 9:53 AM with the headline "United Way sets campaign goal of $15 million."