Keene -  Monadnock United Way (MUW) campaign volunteers gathered for this year’s final Report Breakfast on Wednesday, December 14th. John Hoffman, General Campaign Chair addressed the attendees with some serious, yet inspirational words. “We have a lot more to do, and we’ll do it.” Comparing the campaign to a marathon, Hoffman told volunteers, “The last six miles of a marathon are always the toughest, but that’s where the race really begins. This final strech is the time to make it happen.” Hoffman contiued, “I knew this would be a difficult year, that’s why I took on this challenge. With all the funding and program cuts the area human service organizations have had to deal with, we can’t tell them we have to cut them more.” He urged everyone to keep the energy up and not to regard this as the end, but the beginning. Hoffman then announced the Campaign has raised $1,919,642, representing 82% of the $2,339,067 goal and said, “Although this is the last “official” Report Breakfast, this won’t be the last time we meet. Together, we will continue and make sure we reach the goal, coming through when the community needs us the most,”

Speaking for the Keene Senior Center, one of the MUW Partner Agencies, was Sandi Bandieri, Executive Director. Sandi mentioned that 27% of the population in the Keene area is age 55 or older and increasing rapidly. She highlighted some of the programs at the Center including the tax preparation service that helped 191 individuals last tax season; edible landscaping that harvested over 100 pounds of food, 75% that was donated to Stone Arch Village and Harper Acres; their safe driver courses; and the 6-week Better Choices, Better Health program that provides education and support for those with chronic conditions. Bandieri thanked the MUW and said many of their programs wouldn’t be possible without the financial support of the United Way.

Geraldine Liebert from Monadnock Family Services (MFS), shared some highlights of their campaign including the fact that they raised 20% more than last year, even with their recent cutbacks. She thanked Bob Rooney, the acting CEO, who was very active and supportive of their campaign. One of the incentives MFS used was that for anyone who contributed at least $48 was eligible for a drawing for a paid day off.

Loaned Employee, Stacy Taylor of Clark-Mortenson Agency filled the attendees in on some of the campaign success stories from area businesses including Vision Financial’s “Bowls of Hot Stuff” fundraiser where for a $2 donation employees could get a hot bowl of soup — many actually donated more than $2. They had raffles for gift cards of different amounts for new donors or those who increased their giving from last year by $1 or $2, and also a “Penny Drive” that raised $50 in pennies. Stacy also spoke about the Cheshire County Employees campaign that featured a “Wheel of Fortune” where contributors to their campaign could spin the wheel for a chance at winning gift certificates to local restaurants and businesses. So far they have already exceeded what they raised last year, and their campaign isn’t completed yet.

About Mondanock United Way
Founded in 1952, Monadnock United Way is a volunteer organization dedicated to increasing the organized capacity of people to care for one another. Empowering individuals and building communities is what we do. We evaluate, allocate, cultivate, and generate resources to invest in the region’s future. Serving 36 towns in all of Cheshire and Western Hillsborough counties, the work of our human service Partner Agencies impacted people’s lives over 89,000 times in 2010. For more information on volunteering and how to make a donation, please call 603-352-4209; visit our web site at www.muw.org. You can also “like us” on Facebook.