Local United Ways team up for "Give 5" initiative
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December 10, 2009 -
To help deliver critically needed services to
people in Defiance, Fulton and Williams Counties, the three United Ways have
come together to experiment with a new way of raising funds.
The three organizations are going viral and asking
a lot of people to give a little-instead of just relying on fewer people to give
more.
Using social networking to spread the word, the
organization is launching a web-based "Give5" campaign. It centers around a 2-minute
video that lets people know how their small contribution can have a big impact
on their neighbors and their community.
Because of the difficult economic times, many
social service organizations are reporting an all time low of donations at a
time of the year when individuals and corporations ordinarily ramp up their giving.
"Northwest Ohio has not been immune to the
recession that all Americans in some form or another have been struggling to
overcome. Those who never in their wildest dreams thought they would be
in financial straits are having to look for help," said Gina Saaf, Executive
Director of United Way of Fulton County. "While there are signs on the
horizon that better times are coming, the need for help in this county is
great."
Give5 encourages residents of Defiance, Fulton
and Williams Counties to give $5 then help spread the word by emailing the
video to at least 5 friends, family members, or colleagues.
The three United Way organizations have created a
new web site - letsgive5.org - that will host the video and provide quick
links to give to the organizations and spread the word. The video will also be posted on social
networking sites such as Facebook, twitter and YouTube in hopes that residents will spread the word.
The campaign, which is currently underway, runs
through the end of the year. To learn more, to donate via credit card, or to download the Give5 video, visit www.letsgive5.org.
The local United Ways are hoping that together, the
small contributions will add up to have a big impact on the Northwestern Ohio
community.
"It's not the number that's important, it's what
that number represents. It's a family that's going to be turned away for help
when they need it the most," said Carrie Wetstein, Executive Director of the
United Way of Defiance County. "If we take no action, we will have to cut
funding to vital social service programs during these difficult economic
times. Please take action now and
support our Give 5 initiative."
Because of the economic downturn, Defiance, Fulton
and Williams Counties have seen an increase in layoffs, foreclosures, hunger,
and homelessness. Local United Ways say that the nonprofits they fund are
experiencing the same issues -- an increase in demand for services especially
for food, utility and rent assistance. Agencies report that people asking for
assistance are those who have never needed help before.
"The Give $5 campaign is about everyone in
Defiance, Fulton and Williams Counties coming together for the common good of
all of our communities.," said Chris Malanga, CEO of the United Way of Williams
County. "Our hope is that, even in
these trying times, Give5 will make it easier for people to lend a hand to one
another."
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