TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The Merrill Area United Way Campaign Barometer, located at Wisconsin Public Service, 3100 East Main St. in Merrill, was set back to zero on Aug. 31 in preparation for the next annual fundraising campaign. That campaign officially started on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, and yard signs along Merrill’s major thoroughfares will serve as reminders that it is campaign time.
Area employers will also be kicking off their employee-giving campaigns. And mailers are being sent to businesses, churches, and each household in the Merrill/Lincoln County area asking them to support the United Way.
“Early indicators regarding the upcoming campaign and a somewhat vulnerable economy leaves us apprehensive about our ability to hit the level of financial support needed to help all our agencies sustain their services,” said Dee Olsen, Executive Director of the Merrill Area United Way. “With the pandemic last year, and being realistic, United Way has not increased its annual campaign goal for 2021-2022, but rather will work to sustain our prior campaign level.”
“United Way expects this will be a critical fall campaign,” she added. “The funded agencies depend on United Way to come through for them. They are the frontline providers of assistance to people in need of help. Now we need to assure that this years United Way’s campaign is successful.”
“United Way provides the funding to the agencies in two allocation periods throughout the year,” Olsen said. “The first payment goes out March 1, and the second allocation payment goes to the agencies September 1.”
“During the campaign, we have a ‘black out period’ whereby the funded agencies are asked to forego their own fundraising, therefore, allowing the focus to be on United Way’s annual request,” she added. “This is a customary policy for many United Ways with a short campaign time.”
“As the fall campaign is just getting started, we ask that you please give generously to offer a helping hand to your neighbors, family, and friends. The campaign dollars stay local, unless designated to a specific not-for-profit organization, which is usually less than 3-4%. Aside from that, all the dollars support local programs to help people in our area who need assistance,” Olsen said.
“United Way makes a positive difference in the Merrill area. You can make a real difference, too,” she added. Donations can be mailed to: Merrill Area United Way, P.O. Box 813, Merrill WI 54452.
You can also donate electronically via PayPal at the website: www.merrillareaunitedway.org.