With about two months left in its 2009 Live United campaign, the United Way of Freeborn County has raised just more than a quarter of its campaign goal of $645,000.

United Way of Freeborn County Executive Director Ann Austin said Monday the organization has raised $170,000 through various fundraisers and corporate gifts.

So far there have been 12 corporate gifts, but there haven’t been many employee donations yet, which usually bring in a major chunk of money, Austin said.

“It’s the $20 and $30 donations that add up,” she said. “If there’s hundreds of people at a business and they each contribute a small amount.”

Ideally, she would encourage people to get their donations in by Nov. 30; however, Dec. 31 is the actual cutoff date. Any donations received after Dec. 31 will rollover to next year’s campaign.

Money raised ultimately goes to the United Way partner agencies: Adult Basic Education, Albert Lea Family Y, American Red Cross, Arc of Freeborn County, Catholic Charities, Cedar Valley Services, Circle of Parents, Community Technologies & Services, Crime Victims Crisis Center, Domestic Abuse Project, Freeborn County Chemical Dependency Center, Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys, Lutheran Social Services, Parenting Resource Center, Semcac Community Action, Senior Resources of Freeborn County, The Children’s Center, The Albert Lea Salvation Army and Twin Valley Boy Scouts.
What: United Way of Freeborn County wine tasting fundraiser

When: Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Wedgewood Cove Golf Club

“United Way funds programs that support many of the greatest needs in our community,” Austin said. If people are not sure about donating, they can call our office and ask us as many questions that they want about what their money goes to, who it helps.”

The 2009 campaign goal has increased by about $50,000 compared to 2008 because of increased need and use of services.

Funds have been collected thus far this year through events such as Keep the Fires Burning, the Hanson Tire Lube-A-Thon, the United Way Golf Outing and the new Live United Disc Golf Outing, among others.

The next major fundraiser will be a wine tasting on Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club.

“It’s up to every single business and individual in town to try to support people in their community,” Austin said. “Sometimes you see the people who need help and sometimes you don’t.”

She encouraged businesses to try fundraisers such as bake sales or luncheons to also raise money.

Also, on Nov. 17 people will have the chance to take part in a “Give to the Max Day” through www.GiveMN.org.

On that day, people can donate online to nonprofit organizations around the state — including several in Freeborn County. All online donations will be matched 50 cents to the dollar, up to a maximum of $2,500.

All nonprofit information is now available on the site.