BY MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The United Way of Greater St. Joseph kicked off its campaign season with the annual Pacesetter Campaign.
After being unable to hold the event last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, supporters gathered at Felix Street Square for the event. United Way officials say the Pacesetter kickoff event raised $1,116,966.30
Campaign Director Renita Neville for the United Way of Greater St. Joseph says much like last year due to the uncertainties of the pandemic, they have opted not to set a specific goal.
"Things are still very fluid and volatile and it's pretty much impossible to know what we're going to be able to raise, so we really haven't set a goal for this year," Neville tells St. Joseph Post.
Neville adds that the overall goal is to do just as good, if not better, than last year’s campaign, when the United Way raised $2.4 million dollars. She says now the challenge as the pandemic continues, is holding events for businesses to promote the United Way.
"Some people are mitigating that issue by holding virtual campaigns, but others are really trying to adjust their current approaches, and maybe having more meetings, spreading people farther apart." Neville says.
Neville adds that it is all about finding the right balance and the perfect "sweet spot" to make it work for the organization to raise money.
Neville says while the United Way has not set a specific goal for the fundraising season, the overall goal is always to be better, or at least just as good, as last year.
"Even though we're not working towards a certain number, we do have hopes that we will raise more than last year, at a minimum the same, but hopefully more, and last year we raised $2.4 million," Neville says. "But the thing is, how difficult it's going to be is really the same answer whether we had a specific goal or not."
As the fundraising campaign is underway, Neville explains that for her, it is more than just being a worker for the United Way, it is knowing that she’s making a difference
"It is the fact that I can give a gift to one organization, and support 17 non profit partner agencies in our community, so I don't have to think about, you know I don't have unlimited funds, I don't have to think about if I give here, I'm not going to be able to support there," Neville says. "I can give to one place, and the community decides how to spread that out across those 17 agencies."
The campaign will run until November 4th. To donate to the campaign online you can visit HERE