Residents work toward local United Way chapter
Plans to form a Marion County United Way are continuing but a great deal of work remains to be done, organizers said.
"There's a lot we need to determine before we can begin a campaign," said Jessie Nikkel, Hillsboro, a task force member. Other members are Vince Nikkel, Laura Legg, Cynthia Fleming, Sherry Soyez, and Linda Ogden.
United Way conducts fund-raisers and distributes the money to non-profit organizations. Often, businesses allow employees to have a portion of their paychecks withheld for distribution to the United Way of their choice. Without a Marion County United Way, those donations go elsewhere.
United Way also has strong national promotion campaign through its partnership with organizations such as the National Football League.
The most important issue is whether Marion County will be independent or become an affiliate of another United Way, probably Harvey County.
Nikkel said as an affiliate, Marion County could use the legal framework of Harvey County United Way, such as its non-profit designation, which would allow donors to deduct contributions. As an independent, that legal framework would have to be developed before any fundraising could take place.
"Regional United Way officials have suggested we affiliate with an existing United Way, at least in the developmental stages, and Harvey County is interested in working with us," Nikkel said. "But a decision has not been made. It's something we'll have to decide before we go much farther."
As an affiliate, Marion County would raise and distribute its own funds. Money would not go to Harvey County, Nikkel said. Harvey County is interested because many of the organizations it supports also work in Marion County.
The task force tentatively plans to meet July 25 to review information and decide what path to take.
In any event, for a United Way to be successful, it will take numerous volunteers, Nikkel said.
"We need volunteers from every community and every facet of life," she said. "We need to represent a good mix of Marion County."
Anyone interested is asked to contact a task force member. They can volunteer for an expanded task force or for other rolls.
Ideally, fund-raising will start before the end of the year. It seems likely that someone employed at least part-time will be required to maintain the organization. Completing arrangements to form the United Way probably means funds won't be distributed until 2004 at the earliest, Nikkel said.
"It takes a long time, and a lot of dedicated people, to establish a United Way," she said. "If you want to do it right, we have to go step by step."
