INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — United Way supporters, volunteers and partner agency representatives refused to cry “uncle” when they gathered for an end-of-campaign thank you party in early March with a dollar amount18 percent shy of goal. Led by enthusiastic 2011-12 Campaign Co-chairs Don and Chris Loftus, they forged ahead in an attempt to meet the lofty $2.5 million goal before May 15, when distributions would be determined by the board.
With grateful help from all who participated in the campaign, Michael Kint, United Way CEO revealed at a press conference Tuesday that a flurry of last minute donations and fundraising events helped to push them remarkably close to goal, raising a whopping $2.4 million; the most successful campaign since 2007-08 and the second most successful in its history.
In announcing the “monetary milestone” amount, Kint noted last minute donations that included a $25,000 gift from the Gloria Estefan Foundation on behalf of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, an unexpected gift of $10,000 from a long-time United Way supporter, and other donations from individuals and businesses. The co-chairing couple, fondly known as the “Lofti” also instituted a number of fundraising initiatives this spring including a Triple A Charity Baseball Game and the resurrection of the Jawbones vs. Sawbones softball game.
“I can’t remember a spring so chock full of activity and good will on our behalf,” said Kint, who went on to speak of the numerous agency programs and services they support. “With the conclusion of this year’s campaign, United Way has raised over $43 million dollars in our 51 year history.”
The United Way board of directors assembled immediately following the press conference to approve final allocations. They did so based on recommendations from a panel of approximately 120 volunteers who had reviewed agency applications and conducted site visits. The United Way provides critical support to 42 programs at 32 partner agencies, ultimately reaching 58,000 Indian River County residents.
“It was a high energy campaign with a lot of people helping,” said Don Loftus, adding that since programs benefit the whole of Indian River County, they increased the number of presentations countywide.
“This was an Indian River County undertaking, not just Vero Beach. I think there were a lot of people who weren’t aware of how many agencies we support. It’s a significant number of the population that is touched. It’s so much larger than people realize.”
To help focus attention on the number of lives affected, the previous dollar thermometer indicators scattered about town were reformed as people-meters.
“It’s not the dollars; it’s the people we help,” he added. “That’s what it’s really all about. That’s what makes me feel good.”
“Oh happy day!” beamed Chris Loftus. “It’s just fabulous. It’s heartwarming to see a community come forth; and it takes a whole community. We rock!”
