October 24, 1996|By Ernest F. Imhoff | Ernest F. Imhoff,SUN STAFF
As a result of editing errors, an article yesterday on the United Way of Central Maryland Inc. misstated how decisions are made on which agencies will be funded and how much money they will get. The staff and Larry Walton, president of United Way, have no role in those decisions. In fact, about 130 community volunteers who visit agencies and prepare budgets make those decisions.
In addition, a photo caption reversed identifications of two United Way campaign officials, Donald A. Manekin and Mike Moynihan.
The Sun regrets the error.
With less than a month left in the annual campaign, fund-raisers for United Way in the Baltimore area have reached almost half their goal and are optimistic on raising the total $37.75 million.
FOR THE RECORD - CORRECTION
"With all the terrific help we're getting, the goal is totally doable," said Larry E. Walton, president of United Way of Central Maryland Inc. "But while the first 90 percent is easy, the last 10 percent requires real effort. The community says it desperately needs all the money."
Donald A. Manekin, general chairman, said the drive from Sept. 12 to Nov. 21 had gotten off to "a great start" in raising $17.85 million in pledges.
Manekin said, "People are keyed up to hit our goal," helped by 1,000 volunteers, compared with 300 last year. But he added that with "20 working days left in the campaign, that works out to raising a million dollars a day. We need help to do that."
He and Walton cited these developments:
More company executives are giving, and some are giving more. For instance, the number of executives who give $1,000 will exceed the 2,000 who gave that much last year. The number who gave at least $10,000 -- 136 last year -- is expected to reach 155 this year, and six executives have increased their pledges to $25,000 each.
Scores of companies and employees never approached before are giving. Walton cited the Maryland New Car and Truck Dealers Association. Last year, two of its 125 members were asked and gave $4,000. All 125 were asked this year, and the total is expected to reflect that.
Thirty "pacesetter" companies that completed their campaigns in the summer raised $3,886,771, which is almost $600,000 more than was raised the summer before.
Players and staff of a new donor, the Baltimore Ravens, are expected to donate at least the $100,000 they gave as the Cleveland Browns in 1995.
Walton said at least 40 percent of United Way money in the Baltimore area came from union members. "We have a close relationship with organized labor; I couldn't ask for a better leader than the AFL-CIO's Ernie Greco; he's secretary of our board."
The United Way's 1996 goal is 4 percent above the amount raised last year -- $35,039,000. That amount was a 3.3 percent increase over 1994, but short of the 1995 goal of $37 million.
More than 50 supporters held a midcampaign rally downtown yesterday. The drive, three weeks shorter than last year's to sustain momentum, ends with a "victory dinner" Nov. 21.
The contributions of 2,000 organizations -- businesses and public and nonprofit agencies -- will be distributed to United Way's 72 affiliates that operate 300 programs and other agencies picked as new "community initiatives."
The United Way staff, including Walton, decides which agencies will be funded and how much they will get. About 130 community volunteers who visit agencies and prepare budgets make those decisions. They serve three-year terms, some more than one term.
Greco, president of the Metropolitan Baltimore Council, AFL-CIO Unions, said most of the 150,000 to 175,000 members were donating this year. On the annual Day of Caring, members
volunteered at Hearth Inc., a United Way shelter for homeless women and children.
He said the us-and-them mentality of the past was fading. That means union members are less reluctant to make contributions that can make their bosses look good while management is more likely to acknowledge the union role in volunteering and giving.
The staff for the council's own community service program is funded by United Way. Projects include LEAP (Labor Education Achievement Program), which helps upgrade basic skills of workers who have lost positions within companies to automation. Another effort, Baltimore Works, retrains laid-off union workers and tries to find new jobs for them.
People who want to donate may call 1-800-228-8929.
Pub Date: 10/24/96
