UNITED WAY OF SAN JUAN COUNTY

United Way's tenth year anniversary features development of volunteer corps

Looking for a Volunteer Coordinator

posted 2:20 p.m. 02/13/2007
"In its ten year history, we've given out almost a million dollars, all to important programs right here in San Juan County," said Bonnie Gilmore, Director of United Way of San Juan County. The locally autonomous board of Directors of United Way recently completed an assessment of their accomplishments and identified steps to move on to the next level in helping meet the local ongoing human service needs. "Doing a good job of identifying needs, and looking at solutions that prevent problems rather than just offer a "Band-Aid" approach has been a priority with this hard-working group," Gilmore said. "Generating community-supported funding for those solutions is what we have been about."

Now that the organization has some maturity, including a one-quarter time paid director, office space donated by Key Bank, and a funding base of over $150,000 each year, the board is ready to embark on developing a volunteer component, where citizens can offer their time to help with a number of existing and some new activities that will help in furthering the prevention-based impacts in our local communities, Gilmore said.

Last October, United Way of San Juan County hosted its first "Day of Caring" where volunteers on each island participated in helpful projects that make a difference in the lives of our citizens. Jan Kolton-Titus, Coordinator of the day said, "It was so well received; we are planning to expand the event next fall."

In addition, board member Carol Marble has donated her library of resource materials to the United Way office where they are now available for loan. The collection includes many valuable books and pamphlets on Volunteers, Volunteer Management, and Non-profit Management, including Board Development. Marble provided workshops and board training throughout the islands and through Skagit Valley College for fifteen years. Now many of her resources are available readily at the United Way office at Key Bank.

The board has agreed that volunteers can help in a number of ways, but stress that the first step is to find an individual who is willing to coordinate this program. Many important tasks are waiting for the right volunteer, so there is a huge need to fill this position and move forward. Marble said, "Developing this component for United Way of San Juan County is a natural progression for our organization, since most of our work has always been accomplished by a volunteer board. Now we will be able to allow others to share in additional work that we've identified will further improve our island families and neighborhoods.

Call 378-4121 for information on office hours and to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

United Way of San Juan County's Mission is "Community volunteers working to raise funds to help the people of San Juan County care for one another."

United Way 2007 grants exceed $121,000

posted 02/09/2007
This year United Way of San Juan County has granted a record $121,450 to local human services programs throughout the County. For the past ten years, United Way has worked to build its capacity to serve families and children in our island communities. United Way has a comprehensive allocations process that requires applicants to report on successes and demonstrate results. Over its decade long history, United Way has granted nearly $1 million, helping thousands of island residents. No monies are allocated outside of San Juan County. Thanks to the generous contributions of many, grants have been awarded to the following:

Not too late to donate to United Way

posted 12/30/2006
United Way of San Juan County is in the process of reviewing applications for funding from more than thirty local human services programs. Last year more than $100,000 was granted to support emergency housing assistance, pre-school education, mental health and substance abuse counseling, mentoring programs and after school study groups. These and other programs benefit a wide array of island residents; from toddlers to the terminally ill.

United Way’s 2006/07 goal is $185,000; almost exactly the amount requested by programs. In the event that we reach our goal, United Way will have granted more than $1 million to island programs over our ten-year history. As of today, we have received more than $136,000 or nearly 75% of goal.

It’s not too late to make a donation that will help us reach the million dollar mark! Donations received the first week of January will be included in fiscal year 2006, providing donors with a ’06 charitable contribution tax credit.

Be part of "doing what matters" with your gift to United Way of San Juan County. Donations may be sent to P.O. Box 3181, Friday Harbor, WA. 98250.

2005 United Way drive underway

posted 09/14/05
Want to help strengthen the community safety net? Want to support programs which provide hospice care, fresh food, preschool education, after school study, mentoring and drug prevention and more? Want to know your money finances programs that get results? Donate to the 9th Annual United Way of San Juan County fund-raising drive and be assured your contributions will help county residents.

UWSJC is a local organization run by a 15-member board. The board members know the ins and outs of local programs and know what the local needs are, according to Director Bonnie Gilmore and Board Member Carol Marble. Groups reapply for funding every year. No program is automatically funded. The board reviews groups budgets, results and program ideas before allocation decisions are made.

Gilmore and Marble explained the advantages of having a county-wide group raising funds. The burden on each group to raise funds is lessened. The overhead costs are lowered. UWSJC's administrative costs are less than 10 percent currently. There is a policy limiting administrative costs to 15 percent.

2005 BOARD MEMBERS

The board includes:

• Virginia Beall
  
  
• Charles Bodenstab
  
  
• Steve Buck
  
  
• Candy Dossett
  
  
• Danah Feldman
  
  
• Randy Gaylord
  
  
• John Manning
  
  
• Carol Marble
  
  
• William Morrissey
  
  
• Pat Pomeroy
  
  
• Howard Schonberger
  
  
• Steve Simpson
  
  
• Michael Soltman
  
  
• Jackie Worobec
  
  

A 1 percent fee is paid to the national United Way organization. That is the only amount which leaves the county. All fund-raising materials are purchased through local businesses. A brochure illustrating the United Way campaign is in the mail this week.

The group's goal this year is $200,000. The amount raised so far is $35,000. San Juan Islander will be posting a thermometer showing the donation level from now through mid-December.

Donations can be made through the workplace via payroll deductions or by sending donations to:

United Way of San Juan County
PO Box 3181
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Information is also available at www.unitedway-sanjuancounty.org

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