Pacesetter companies have pushed the United Way campaign more than one-third of the way to its $600,000 goal, according to announcements made Thursday during an agency fair at the Flint Hills Technical College.
Drive Chairman Connie Cahoone announced the goal near the end of the agency fair, a new event for the United Way of the Flint Hills.
“We realize the economy’s down a little bit ... but the needs of the community have not decreased, unfortunately,” Cahoone said.
The money will help the United Way continue to finance programs that area residents need, she said.
Tebbetts was excited about the amount already raised by Pacesetter companies, with numerous packets still to come in.
“As of yesterday, we had 13 ... of the Pacesetters that have turned in packets,” she said.
The total on Wednesday was $229,000, which was up more than $14,000 from this time last year.
Money raised from the drive will finance specific programs of selected agencies, rather than be donated for use in the agencies’ general funds.
Fourteen of the 24 U.W. agencies set up informational booths during the fair, which included prize drawings and two tables full of hors d’oeuvres, including hot foods and other items catered by Bruff’s Bar and Grill.
Agencies represented at the fair were Emporia Child Care, Camp Alexander, Girl Scouts, Cerebral Palsy, Plumb Place, Housing and Credit Counseling, Salvation Army, Kansas Legal Services, SOS, Project Teen, American Red Cross, Compeer, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Boy Scouts of America.
Kevin Pringle and Suzanne Miller won gift certificates from the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and Building Futures T-shirts were awarded to Kevin Moore, Coralea Shireman, Ruth Schmidt, Betty White, and Juan Sanchez.
The fair was underwritten by Capitol Federal, according to Duane Dreiling, U.W. executive director.