It happens every fall, and CIMG is ready once again to be part of the United Way of Danville Area team. The Radio Takeover fundraiser to kick off the new campaign is set for this Wednesday, September 16th. It all beings on Tommy B’s “The Big Show” on D102; and then we’ll be moving over to the United Way of Danville’s home turf at 801 West Fairchild Street.
United Way of Danville Area CEO Angie Lazzell says this kickoff for their 100 year anniversary, scheduled to be celebrated next year, will continue their commitment to raise funds that support local non-profits more on a person-to-person basis. This is quite a challenge, Lazzell says; starting with one major factor. Ever since GM left Danville there’s been a drop in corporate campaigns; and now you have other local closures happening, such as Hyster and CRIS Rural Transit. And that’s just the beginning of how things have changed.
AUDIO: And when people work from home, they aren’t exposed to that day to day ‘what the company’s involved in and how to get involved. ‘ That’s why we brought on the United We Cook event. Because again, one, it’s exposure. Donating five dollars can make a difference. That feeds one child, one weekend a month.
And meanwhile, one new long range United Way of Danville goal will be to try and take in over $2 million, to allow United Way of Danville to, for the first time, establish an endowment. This would be for sustaining the existence of United Way of Danville Area; and being able to make a major investment to support annual operations expenses.
AUDIO: While we have reserves, we don’t have an endowment; which means how can we be funded going forward as things change in the community. That’s been really important for us, to figure out how to fund the operations going forwards; so that every year when we raise money we’re just able to support the programs and the initiatives.
Another thing to remember is that a week from this coming Friday will be September 25th; which from now on will be known as the “Nine-two-five give like Dolly Day,” in honor of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
AUDIO: A lot of work had already been done before she passed on how she could continue her legacy. And the incentive is for folks to participate, and to give like Dolly; whether you’re sponsoring one child, you’re making a one time donation, or you’re signing up to do monthly donations.
United Way of Danville Area purchases and distributes books; as the affiliate for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Vermilion County on the Illinois side, and Fountain and Warren Counties on the Indiana Side.
