Published: August 27, 2008 12:17 pm            

United Way kicks off annual campaign

United Way of Effingham County kicked off its annual campaign Tuesday by stressing the importance of employee participation.

“Contributions raised from employee campaigns make up 80 percent of money raised in Effingham County. It is the heart and soul of our campaign,” Board President Mike Klauser said during the kickoff lunch at Effingham Knights of Columbus.

Campaign Chairman Tina Schwinke said the 2007 campaign was a record-breaking year with $275,103 raised, more than $30,000 over its campaign goal of $245,000.

Schwinke said the 2008 campaign goal is $260,000. The money raised will be used to benefit the 23 partner agencies that make up United Way.

Three new agencies joined the United Way this year, including Christian Counseling and Family Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Effingham County and Strategic Training and Restoration, which provides support to Effingham County Drug Court.

Toq Lawrence of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) said the agency is just starting a branch in Effingham County.

“We’ve been planning this for two or three years. We’ve just formed an advisory council, but we’re the eighth county (in central Illinois) we’ve served,” Lawrence said.

Some of the money raised in the 2008 campaign will help fund BBBS when members start offering services next year. The United Way Board decides how the money from the annual campaign is distributed among its partner agencies.

“One percent goes to the national office, but 99 percent goes toward the local community,” Klauser said.

Other than the agencies involved, several local companies and corporations raise money annually through employee campaigns.

“We’ve changed a lot in the last few years. The economy hit us. We don’t expect as much employee contribution, but we still expect the same level of participation, about 63 to 65 percent,” said Connie Lilly of Southeastern Container, one of the local pacesetter companies for the 2008 campaign.

Lilly said her company raises money by selling discounted Holiday World tickets to employees with $5 of every ticket going to United Way.

The company also gives out grand prizes at the end of the campaign. The more money the employees raise, the more money the grand prize is worth.

For those interested in helping out, the United Way has two upcoming events:

• Ryan Jennings will hold a fund-raiser at his home at 10691 W. Aminoff from 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday. Ted Grunloh will perform from 5 to 7 p.m. and Poprocks will perform from 8 to 11 p.m. Food will be catered by Mike’s Market. The event is free, but donations to the United Way will be accepted. Call 217-821-0876 or e-mail labordayparty08@yahoo.com for more information.

• The 2008 United Way Gala, “A Night in Tuscany,” will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham. The event will feature dinner, a silent and live auction and a three-hour dance with music provided by Jim Easter and the Artistics. Tickets are $50 per person, and attendees should RSVP to the United Way office at 217-342-3824 by Oct. 8.

Angie Faller can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 131 or angie.faller@

effinghamdailynews.com.