After a successful but different 2020 campaign, the United Way of the CSRA plans to announce its annual fundraising goal virtually on Aug. 25.
In most years, the organization, which raises funds for 40 programs at 27 local charities, announces its goal at a luncheon at the Bell Auditorium and caps off the campaign with a celebration announcing the total raised the following February at another luncheon.
MORE: United Way of the CSRA Releases Impact Report
But in 2020 and into 2021, nothing has gone exactly according to plan. Despite that, the organization surpassed its 2020 goal, according to Brittany Burnett, president and CEO.
“We ended up raising $2.19 million and our goal was $2.17 million,” she said.
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Initially, Burnett said officials had planned an in-person event Aug. 23 but canceled it because of the increase in COVID-19 cases in the area.
On Aug. 24, the organization released its annual campaign video via email.
“We normally show our campaign video at the kickoff,” Burnett said.
Typically, the months between those two luncheons are filled with workplace campaigns which sometimes include visits to the charities the United Way funds and guest speakers, but Burnett said business campaigns were different because of employees working from home.
“A lot of campaigns ran later,” she said.
Donations came in well-past the February deadline and are still coming in.
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Since March 2020, the United Way staff has become more involved with direct assistance with with several new programs. During COVID, the organization collected and distributed more than 400,000 pieces of personal protective equipment; implemented an emergency ride program; facilitated a rental and utility assistance program and collected and distributed hundreds of school supplies to students in Richmond, Columbia and Burke counties.
MORE: United Way of CSRA Establishes Rent and Utilities Assistance Program
As the agency heads into the fall campaign, Burnett is energized and believes that all of the work they’ve done in the community has allowed people to see the United Way in a different light.
To learn more about the United Way and the programs it funds, visit uwcsra.org.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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