As we continue to enjoy these great days of summer, it always reminds me that campaign is not far away.  People always say to me "It really must quiet down after the campaign is over?"  Well, for our United Ways, the end of the campaign means that we have more time to do the "other things" United Way does in the community. 

In January, we kicked off a second year of the Tax Assistance program. From January through April 10, our volunteers and staff fielded more than 1,600 calls and scheduled more than 1,525 appointments for people who needed to have their taxes done at no charge.   This collaboration with Winnebago County UW Extension, the Oshkosh Seniors Center, the IRS, FVTC, UW Oshkosh, the IRS, and the United Way is just one example of how United Way is working in our community all year long.  Then there is Money Smart Week, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the Hunger Task Force, Resettlement Task Force and our FamilyWize Drug Discount program.  The list goes on.

Meeting the needs of people in our community is a year-long effort.  Helping us with this task are our partner agencies.  In March, we are busy meeting with them to discuss their financial needs and how the programs they provide help change the lives of people in our community.   The United Way Allocation Process is the way that your United Way can monitor the effectiveness of the programs that we fund. 

The word "needs" can conjure up a lot of different examples.  So, how does one know what are the true needs in the community.  Sometimes the needs are very visable, like seeing homeless people on the street.  Sometimes the needs are more subtle, like children who are not performing well in school because they're hungry.  Identifying community needs is a critical piece of the United Way plan of work.  This year, we are once again partnering with others in our community to begin our 2011 LIFE Report.  LIFE is an acronym for Local Indicators for Excellence. 

Be watching for more information about this exciting project and ways that you can get involved.  And next time you see me, ask me "Sue, what's new with United Way?"  I promise I won't talk too long!

Sue Panek