United Way of Snohomish County kicks off its annual fund drive today with its 11th annual day of volunteering, sending more than 1,000 people to work on projects as varied as reading to students in local elementary schools to assisting at food banks.
Missing this year is a specific dollar goal for the campaign, which funds area nonprofit social service organizations.
"The goal for this year is not so much different than the goal in previous years — to get as many volunteers and raise as much money as we can," spokesman Dan Klusman said.
Last year, the goal was $9.6 million, the lowest in six years because of the weak economy. Ultimately, $10.26 million was raised.
Although they don’t have a money goal, United Way officials hope to:
"These goals reflect increased commitment we’re asking the community to make," Klusman said.
Reaching these targets would mean an additional $760,000 for United Way, he said. The organization also hopes to recruit 1,200 volunteers to work on the fund drive.
In addition, three groups of volunteers will be created "to identify the most pressing problems for Snohomish County" affecting kids, families and communities. Klusman said. The groups will "try to look comprehensively at the community and set a vision, and then look at how we can achieve those results," he said.
"This is not a once a month have a cup of coffee and a doughnut" kind of meeting, he said. "It’s time to do some change in the community."
These groups also will suggest what groups and programs get money from the fund drive.
The amount of money donated in Snohomish Count hit a peak in 1999, at $11.2 million, but has declined since then. In 2000, donations fell nearly $340,000 short of the target. In 2001, the drive came up $1.22 million short, and United Way’s board approved draining $300,000 from its reserve fund to help reduce the shortfall.
Last year, leaders set a goal they thought could be reached in an economy rocked by layoffs.
The 1,000 people expected to participate in today’s day of volunteerism is slightly less than the 1,200 who participated last year. One of the reasons is that because of the slow economy, "people are having a harder time giving employees the day off," Klusman said.
Nevertheless, the number of projects undertaken, 76, is the largest ever, with an estimated 5,000 volunteer hours expected to be donated.
Projects include fall plantings in downtown Everett, painting rooms in local social service organizations and removing drywall and old insulation at Sherwood Community Services, an organization that assists developmentally disabled people.
Reporter Sharon Salyer:
425-339-3486 or
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