Board of Directors President's- Update: November 9, 2009

Its campaign time again for our United Way.

There has been and probably will always be a lot of need in our community and country… even in the best of times. This year we can add tough economic times to the list of challenges. By all reports the number of people who need our help has grown this year due to our economy slowing way down. Jobs have been lost or hours cut back.

This is the year to give — a year when you, your family or people you work with or sit with in church could be among those who need help.

Yes, we’re lucky to live in an area that doesn’t feel the harshest effects of the economy’s occasional breakdowns. But we do live in an area that always has more than its share of need. Just ask any volunteer or staff person on the list of United Way agencies.

We also live in a community that has always been willing to help. To help meet the needs of our community, the United Way board has set a fundraising goal of $350,000 this year. Last year we raised $313,000. I know this sounds like a large increase, but we raised $370,000 in 2007. Considering the circumstances, and the hardships that many of our friends and neighbors are facing, I think it’s a reasonable goal.

To help accomplish this goal, we asked our local banking community to lend a hand. I approached each of the Scottsbluff-Gering bank owner/managers to be co-chairs of this year’s campaign.

Those who agreed to work with us are John Stinner of Valley Bank & Trust, Kathy Holten of Tier One Bank, Jeanne McKerrigan of US Bank, Marv Hefti of First State Bank, Dave Bartlett of First National Bank and Hod Kosman of Platte Valley Companies. That group includes everyone we approached. All of them agreed to work with us and with each other to meet this challenge.

I call that Living United.

Jim Holland
United Way of Western Nebraska
Board of Directors President