United Way ups its goal by $30,000

The United Way is looking to open its hands once more for the upcoming campaign kick off for 2010.

Santa Rosa is looking to up the ante this campaign year by making its goal $30,000 more than last year. 

“That’s how much we need to help our agencies,” said Kendra Parson, Santa Rosa County’s United Way campaign director.  “We can’t cut back on some of these agencies anymore.”

Parson said despite the economic downturn this past year, United Way was able to outperform last year’s goal of $270,000.

“We exceeded it close to $5,000, and I am happy with that,” Parson said.  “I’m hoping we can do the same thing in the upcoming campaign.”

Parson, who just ended her first year as executive director at United Way of Santa Rosa County said last year’s goal was arduous, with a $10,000 decrease in money raised from the school system. But Parson said where some donors struggled to make their goal, others exceeded.

“When other companies fell, we were able to increase in other areas,” Parson said.  “The decreases made us work a whole lot harder.” 

Parson said United Way raised its goal this year not because of the economy, but because its agencies are struggling for more donations.

“That is how much we need to actually help these agencies.  It’s what we absolutely need to have,” she said.

United Way of Santa Rosa County is kicking off its upcoming campaign year on Wednesday, Aug. 18 at the Locklin Education Center directly behind the Santa Rosa Medical Center on Berryhill Road from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

With the new school year approaching, United Way is already prepping for its Cram the Van campaign, which helps provide school supplies to families that may not be able to afford it for their children.

For the entire month of July, United Way has been asking businesses for help by asking them to place donation boxes inside of their stores.

This year Parson is scheduled to help with collection on Thursday, Aug 5. 

“This year we are having a one day collection at the Gulf Breeze Wal-Mart and the Milton and Gulf Breeze Walgreens from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.,” Parson said.

Right now Cram the Van is running low on backpacks, one of the harder items to come by for school children.  United Way is currently struggling to acquire volunteers to help run the all-day event.

“We need volunteers for that,” Parson said.  “We really need help getting those school supplies out.”

Parson said both her volunteers and her campaign donors made her first year as the Santa Rosa United Way campaign director a smooth ride, and even better when donors helped the non profit exceed its goal. 

“The company cabinet really made my job easier,” Parson said.  “I’m going to take what I learned last year and apply it to this year. 

“I really want to work with the local businesses and utilize our efforts to move forward with our new goal.”

Want to go?

What: Campaign Kick Off.

When: Wednesday, Aug. 18.  RSVP by Aug. 16 by calling 623-4507 or stopping by the United Way office behind the McDonald’s in Milton. 

Where: Locklin Education Center located behind the Santa Rosa Medical Center.