Published: February 03, 2010 01:31 pm      

United Way hits goal, pushes for new one

LEBANON — — In a ceremony Tuesday morning, Jan. 19, on the Courthouse lawn, the United Way of Boone County announced it reached its 2009 goal of $191,000 by placing the final piece on the fundraising thermometer.

But now it is stretching for the challenge of raising $200,000, said Jill Troha, area director.

“Ultimately, our campaign committee thought this may be the year we break $200,000,” Troha said. “It’s a great year to do it because the needs are greatly increased.”

Many people who are requesting help this year have never done so before, Troha said. There are 219 families receiving assistance from the community economic relief fund, and 208 of them have never received the assistance before.

“That gave us a really strong message this year,” Troha said. “People who need help this year are largely your friends down the street, people you go to church with. It’s a whole new group.”

And the campaign is not over, Troha reminded, even though they have already reached their initial goal. The final total will be announced April 14 at the annual celebration.

Boone and Hancock counties are the only two counties in the United Way of Central Indiana to have already reached their goals, said Nicole Noonchester, campaign committee chair.

“We thought 2008 would be tough, but 2009 was a lot tougher,” she said. “So I am ecstatic. What a great feeling.”

Troha said she believes the county can reach the $200,000 mark, because many things happened late in the year — in November and December — that were very heartwarming and made a big difference. If that keeps up, reaching $200,000 would be “monumental,” she said.

“I always like to say anything is possible,” Noonchester said. “I’m grateful for what we have done so far, but if we do (reach $200,000), that’s great. If not, we have a good place to start next year.”