The United Way of Central New York has launched a new campaign to reach its funding goal of $9.5 million by the end of June.
They’re calling it, “Raise to the Finish," and their effort is to help fill a funding gap of $500,000. While the countdown is underway, President Nancy Kern Eaton says a similar fundraiser held 106 years ago is how the United Way began.
“Believe it or not, since 1917, when the mayor of Syracuse first brought people together saying, 'we can do more if we do it together,'" Eaton begins, "he invited folks to put money into one pool, where it could then be used to fund services right here in this community. So in 1917, this community donated over $1.1 million in three weeks. And that's how our local United Way began.”
The United Way provides funding for more than 1,200 programs at 26 local agencies. Eaton says the donations are utilized for vital human services. A top need currently, she says, is a place for people to live.
“We are seeing unprecedented levels of homelessness greater than we've seen in a decade," Eaton said. "Prior to the pandemic, we were reducing homelessness every year. But, homelessness, right now, is skyrocketing."
Eaton adds people are having difficulty paying for the rising costs of food and other essentials. Board members of the United Way have organized the “Raise to the Finish” challenge to address such community concerns. Donations may be made at UnitedWayCNY.org.
Editor's note: The United Way of Central New York is a financial supporter of WAER.
