United Way wraps up Better Days campaign

By Kendra Simpson

The United Way of Greater St. Joseph will announce the results of its annual fundraising drive at a celebration Thursday evening at the Trail Theatre.

The agency began its Better Days Made by You campaign in September. Funds raised through the campaign help provide resources to the United Way network of Partner Agencies such as Community Missions, the YWCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters and more.

Thanks to the help of Pacesetter companies in the community, the campaign kicked off with $873,278.80 in pledges. Campaign co-chairs Doug and Carol Walter will announce the total amount raised in this year’s fundraising efforts at the celebration.

“I think it’s important for people to know that, you know, it is not just for a particular group of folks,” Mr. Walter said. “It’s not just people that are hard press financially, but any of us on any given day could need the services and without those United Way gifts, those services wouldn’t be available.”

At the start of the campaign, several companies in the area, recognized at Pace Setters, kick started things off with a little under $900,000. At the wrap up celebration, Doug and Carol Walter announced the total amount of funds raised was $2,288,766. That money is going right back into the St. Joseph community to help meet the needs of thousands.

“It’s going to help thousands and hundreds of thousands of people, individual groups, all walks of life from infants to senior citizens,” Mrs. Walter said. “Everybody needs help at some time. So it’s great to know we will help thousands of people.”