Dear Friends,
This has been a difficult year for so many of our neighbors and friends in the United Way of Central Kane County communities. Many have lost jobs and with it their security. With insufficient income families are facing hunger, homelessness and loss of health insurance. United Way has been fortunate that donors continue to fund our efforts, allowing us to provide support for programs that address the current issues.
During this past year, community volunteers met and carefully reviewed the grant applications based on the value and strength of the agencies and their programs. We awarded grants to those agencies that demonstrated concrete, measurable outcomes in the community. For the fiscal year 2010-2011, we awarded $270,000 to support 35 programs at 25 local agencies. More than 29,000 local people were helped with these funds. We are focusing our support on community impact programs which help struggling individuals and families who live or work in the communities of St. Charles, Geneva, Elburn, Campton Hills, Kaneville, Wasco, and LaFox.
Over $13,355 of volunteer time was donated with a total of 122 volunteers. Twenty-one new businesses supported United Way this campaign year. The Blanket Give Away Program was a success with the Salvation Army Tri - City Corps distributing them. Volunteers gathered at the LaFox, Geneva, and Elburn train stations in September and October to distribution cards reminding commuters "Don't Let Your United Way Dollars Leave Town." The generosity of the Kane County Chronicle and Continental Envelope was invaluable. Their in-kind contributions were valued at $3,500.
United Way of Central Kane County's fiscal commitment to the stewardship of donor contributions was demonstrated by moving to a new location, removal of the third telephone line and closing the post office box to reduce costs.
This next year we will continue to meet new challenges as we see an escalation of community needs. Area social agencies are seeing an increase in clients because of the current economic downturn, while the State of Illinois faces its own financial crisis with pending cuts to funding to the very social agencies that serve so many people. Because of this, it is more important than ever for United Way to succeed. The funds we disperse are critical to the agencies to support community impact programs.
When times are tough, friends, family and neighbors depend on the generosity of citizens like you. The United Way of Central Kane County is continuing the legacy of caring and compassion that brings us together and creates opportunities by focusing on the building blocks for a good life.
Thank you for your help now and in the future.
Carol McIntyre
President 2010-2011
