United Way of Deschutes Co. sets $1.5 million campaign goal
More than 100 United Way of Deschutes County supporters gathered at the Bend Golf & Country to Club on Wednesday to help kick-off the 2014/15 fundraising campaign with a “KAPOW” and a “BANG”!
Dressed in blue superhero capes, volunteers helped Vito DiMaio, United Way Resource Development Director, announce this year’s campaign goal of $1,500,000. “It’s a courageous goal for the campaign team and our community” said DiMaio, “we are confident the hidden heroes in our community will come forward in a single bound to help others.”
The campaign message this year, Great Things Happen When We LIVE UNITED, reminds citizens that together we CAN do great things. Each year United Way and hundreds of supporters address four community impact priority areas that help support our vision of a community where YOUTH are inspired to stay ON TRACK for success, babies and young children get off to a GREAT START in life, people are kept SAFE FROM VIOLENCE AND ABUSE and families receive help with BASIC NEEDS like food and shelter.
Last year, through United Way, individuals, local businesses, municipalities and schools raised nearly $1.4 million to help close to 70,000 people in need through United Way’s 26 partner agencies.
We asked this year’s Campaign Chair Chip Reeves, Chief Banking Officer at Bank of the Cascades, “Why did you choose to use your superpowers to lead this year’s United Way Campaign?
Chip replied, “I believe we all possess the intrinsic desire to make a difference in the lives of those who may be less fortunate. There are many struggling individuals and families in our community who need a helping hand. United Way and its partner agencies are the most effective outcome oriented solution to solve our community’s needs.”
Superheroes with or without capes are encouraged to share their stories and photos on the United Way Facebook page. You can inspire help and hope and be a LIVE UNITED superhero too.
Give to the United Way campaign today through payroll deduction, online at www.liveunitedco.org, by mail to PO Box 5965, Bend, OR 97708, or by calling the United Way office at (541) 389-6507.
