United Way on track to meet its goal

COLUMBUS -- The 2008 Columbus Area United Way Campaign is right on track compared to last year’s record setting campaign.

“We are at 78 percent. That is exactly where we were last year at this time. We are feeling good about that considering the economic times,” said Pat Heimes, director of the United Way. “We feel the Columbus community is still helping the United Way.”

The figures were released at an update meeting late last week.

The goal of the campaign is $708,000. The top giving companies called the Pacesetters have already raised 66 percent of that goal.

Sharyle Sands, president of the United Way board of directors, said they are thrilled with how the campaign is shaping up so far.

She called the goal conservative considering the economic times, but said the community has always been supportive when it comes to the United Way. Giving to the organization is helping to advance the common good, she said, because the funds go toward supporting 19 service agencies.

Those agencies include Arc of Platte County, Big Pals-Little Pals, Boy Scouts of America, CASA Connection, Catholic Charities, Center for Survivors, Columbus Area Transit, Connect Columbus, Columbus Family YMCA, Emergency Relief, Platte County Food Pantry, Platte Valley Literacy, Girl Scouts-Spirit of Nebraska Council (formerly Prairie Hills Council Girl Scouts), Prairie Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Student Health, TeamMates, United Service Organization and Youth for Christ.

Organizers would like to have the funds in by Oct. 30 and plan to release the final number at a community party Nov. 25.

Until that time, the community will be asked to give to the campaign to help reach the goal. The following 25 people are heading up the divisions for the 2008 campaign.

- John Cimpl, Pacesetters

- Larry Brenner and Anne Hall, banks and investment

- Sharyle Sands, Dann Smith and Rick Cheloha, general business

- Joy Gilmore and Chris Nelson, industry

- Joe Steffensmeier and Joyce Napier, major retail

- Roxanne McCright, non-profit/clergy

- Travis Tessendorf and Mary Sutton, professional

- Dan Pabian and Karin Rieger, public service

- Jason Bell and Kathy Dreesen, real estate and insurance

- Marlene Cimpl, residential

- John Mills, publicity

- Stacy Riley, youth

- K.C. Belitz, Chuck Gonka and Whitey Walgren, Bridgebuilders

- Kelley Schaecher and Cyndi Jarecke, Duck River Run

To make a donation to the United Way, call the office at 564-5661.