The Hendricks County United Way campaign has raised 70 percent of its goal for the year. As the deadline nears, co-chairs look to the business community to step up and help out.
IU Health West Hospital’s Matt Bailey has teamed up with Cinda Kelley, director of the Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership, as the co-chairs for this year’s United Way fundraising campaign.
“Its really important that we all support the United Way,” Bailey said. “The community has been really supportive because all of the agencies help families.”
He said working with Kelley as well as Susie Friend, the local United Way coordinator, has been a very positive experience.
“We’ve made a good team,” he said.
Kelley said she has been amazed to find out who the United Way helps in Hendricks County.
“We have to pay it forward,” she said. “There are so many people that are not living under the best circumstances.”
The campaign is currently at 70 percent of goal. Friend said she has until the end of November to make that last 30 percent. The entire goal for Hendricks County is $797,643.
“We have a couple of companies that have not made their goal and we have some special events coming up,” Friend said.
She said Duke Energy has given over and above its goal this year.
“Duke has raised $230,000 which is $20,000 over their goal,” she said. “What they have done has been huge for us. They’ve had a bike tour, silent auction, and golf outing.”
She said the company has several retired employees contributing to the United Way under the leadership of Al Barker.
“Al is the retired president of the company,” Friend said. “We have $6,000 coming in from Duke retirees.”
Friend said all the school districts in the county are currently in the middle of their campaign drives.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do and I am optimistic that we will reach our goal,” she said. “We have had seven new companies get on board this year.”
The United Way of Central Indiana helps financially support many local agencies which focus on education, basic needs, and health.
“We help places like Sheltering Wings and Mental Health America Hendricks County,” Friend said. “And those are just a few examples.”
To learn more about how to get involved, contact Susie Friend by calling 745-0314 or e-mailing susie.friend@uwci.org.
brenda.holmes@flyergroup.com
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