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Community Asked to “Think a new Way”
as $3.75M United Way Campaign Begins
By Stephen Mease United Way of Chittenden County has set a goal of 3.75 million dollars for its 2001 Community Care Fund annual fund-raising campaign. The campaign runs September 6th though November 16th.

Executive Director, Gretchen Morse Campaign Chairwoman, Lisa Ventriss

The goal, announced September 6th at United Ways annual kick-off celebration at Burlington Town Center, is an increase over last year’s campaign that raised 3.7 million dollars. United Way’s 2001 Chair Lisa Ventriss, president of Vermont Captive Insurance Association, knows there are many challenges ahead this fall.

“I’m asking every single member of our community to recognize that this year’s task is bigger, the challenge greater and need is more critical than ever,” Ventriss said, “Some people may feel threatened by the economic uncertainties facing our community, but I am asking everyone to act on faith, not fear.”

Planning for workplace employee campaigns at IBM, The University of Vermont, Fletcher Allen Health Care, IDX, and hundreds of other businesses and organizations began in the spring, she said.

"Seventy percent of last year’s contributions were from the workplace campaigns and payroll deduction,” she added, emphasizing the importance of giving something back to the community, “Even a dollar or two a week through payroll deduction, cam make a tremendous difference to help those in need,” she said.

Individual donations, particularly at the leadership levels of one grand or more, are also on the increase, she noted. Membership in Alexis deTocqueville Society for those individuals and couples giving $10,000 or more a year, increase from ten to 17 last year.

Part of United Way’s “Think a new Way” Community car campaign’s message is aimed at highlighting the non-profit organization’s unique community role in helping to solve such problems as school truancy, drug use, mental illness, and homelessness. United Way also supports volunteer and mentoring program across the country.

United Way of Chittenden County is best known for distributing the contributions through its Community Care Fund to programs at 32 member agencies and partners who provide a wide range of human and social services throughout Chittenden County and the region. United Way bases its annual funding decisions on community-wide needs assessments, program performance and financial accountability.

“No matter how you look at it, United Way’s role in our community is far greater than most people realize. We cannot succeed in reaching our community goal without everyone help,” she told the campaign supporters at the continental breakfast kick-off celebration.

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