Message from the President
Dear Friends:
This has been a difficult year for so many of our neighbors and friends in the United Way of Central Kane County communities. Many have lost jobs and with it their security. With insufficient income families are facing hunger, homelessness and loss of health insurance. United Way has been fortunate that donors continue to fund our efforts, allowing us to provide support for programs that address the current issues.
During this past year, community volunteers met and carefully reviewed the grant applications based on the value and strength of the agencies and their programs. We awarded grants to those agencies that demonstrate concrete, measurable outcomes in the community. For the fiscal year 2008-2009, we awarded $315,000 to support 43 programs at 27 local agencies. More than 18,000 local people were helped with these funds. We are focusing our support on agency “safety net” programs which help struggling individuals and families who live or work in the communities of St. Charles, Geneva, Elburn, Campton Hills, Kaneville, and LaFox.
For the third year, we had additional help in reaching our campaign goal with a Loan Executive from United Parcel Service. It was with his help, thirty-one new businesses were recruited to our UW campaign. The UPS Foundation was also generous in a $5,000 grant for new computer equipment. There were eight new Leadership Givers and $3,300 in in-kind contributions.
This next year will continue to bring new challenges as we see an escalation of community needs. Area social agencies are seeing an increase in clients because of the current economic downturn, while the State of Illinois faces its own financial crisis with pending cuts to funding to the very social agencies that serve so many people. Because of this, it is more important than ever for United Way to succeed. The funds we disperse are critical to the agencies to help meet the “safety net” programs.
When times are tough, friends, family and neighbors depend on the generosity of citizens like you. The United Way of Central Kane County is continuing the legacy of caring and compassion that brings us together.
Thank you for your help now and in the future.
Janet English
President 2008-2009
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