Extend a helping hand to United Way

With the economic plunge of 2008-09 having stranded Wichita in a canyon with no sure exit, the United Way of the Plains has its own steep wall to scale in the fall campaign that formally began Thursday – $15.1 million. Please extend it a hand.

The goal wisely takes into account some one-time gifts totaling $700,000 included within 2013’s final tally of $15.6 million.

But it also considers the difficult reality of the local economy, which just hasn’t rebounded yet from the Great Recession and regained its ability to raise sums for United Way like the record $16.36 million in 2008.

Though the expansive plans at Koch Industries, McConnell Air Force Base and Wichita State University bolster hopes about the future of Wichita, its unemployment rate of 6.5 percent in July was still well above the state’s 5.4 percent (both not seasonally adjusted) – a painful reflection of the area’s loss of 16,300 aircraft manufacturing jobs since 2008.

United Way no longer can look to Boeing, which once engaged three shifts of workers in the fall fundraising but has all but turned off its lights in Wichita.

Two other reliable big donors, Cessna and Beechcraft, have spent the past half year merging into Textron Aviation. Worries persist that Spirit AeroSystems, which donated $2.15 million to United Way last year, might sell its fabrication operations and cut more than a thousand jobs. Another uncertainty is whether voters will agree on Nov. 4 to the proposed 1-cent citywide sales tax, part of which could enable Wichita to become more competitive when it comes to recruiting and accommodating new companies.

Yet the people of the Wichita area are certain to need more help from United Way over the next year.

“We really need to dig in and ask the community to continue to be generous in their contributions to United Way because our needs aren’t going backwards. The needs continue to increase,” Jackie Wise, vice president and general manager at Entercom Radio and United Way’s 2014 campaign chairwoman, told The Eagle editorial board.

The past few years point to what to do now, with this community having surpassed each year’s goal by a little ($1,613 in 2012) or a lot ($200,000 in 2013). The 13 Pacesetter companies got the 2014 campaign off to a strong $309,000 start, a 21 percent increase from last year. Each dollar will serve United Way’s stated goals of “nurturing children’s potential,” “fostering financial stability” and “improving people’s wellness.”

Those unable to donate through payroll deduction at their workplace can do so directly using the website www.unitedwayplains.org or by mail: United Way of the Plains, 245 N. Water, Wichita, KS 67202.

With enough help from enough businesses and individuals, the campaign can reach or even exceed its goal by Nov. 21, and 86 programs at 35 area agencies can count on United Way’s help.

For the editorial board, Rhonda Holman

This story was originally published September 11, 2014 at 7:07 PM with the headline "Extend a helping hand to United Way."