United Way raising the bar, hope for $1 million

Mat-Su — United Way of Mat-Su hopes to make a big splash in its with its 2007 fundraising efforts.

“Impact” is the theme of this year’s $1 million campaign, which will raise money to help support nonprofit organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of Mat-Su and The Salvation Army. Some may consider a $1 million goal is wishful thinking for a Mat-Su entity. If every person in the Mat-Su Borough were to donate $12.43 the goal would be reached.

“The most important thing is to help individuals,” said Justice Brooks, campaign director for the United Way of Mat-Su. “When you see a decrease in poverty, we know we are helping to make an impact.”

Poverty is one of the main issues the organization will raise money to fight, Brooks said. According to a 2006 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, 7.3 percent of Mat-Su families are living below the poverty line. Also, 11.6 percent of the just over 80,000 people now living in the Mat-Su Valley are doing so in poverty.

“One of the things we do to help fight poverty is to provide money to programs like the Boys and Girls Club and Boy Scouts,” Brooks said. “We try to teach the youth at a very young age that you don’t’ have to live like this.”

Although the United Way of Mat-Su is part of a larger national organization, 99 percent of the money raised locally will be used to address local issues, Brooks said. Last year’s campaign goal was also $1 million. The final tally came in a short of that at $600,000.

“I expect to raise more this year because we’re going to delve into different avenues,” Brooks aid.

The organization plans to focus its fundraising efforts on obtaining donations from more businesses and residents that are able to make substantial donations, he said. No matter how much money is raised, United Way of Mat-Su also hopes to help fight substance abuse problems in the Valley.

“Thirty-eight organizations signed an agreement to address the drug problem in the Valley,” said Kathleen Rogge, campaign chair for the United Way of Mat-Su. The agreement formed the Anti Drug Abuse Coalition, which includes organizations like local churches, law enforcement and schools.

“We want to see a decrease in current drug use and a decrease in the amount of new use,” Brooks said.

Not only does the 2007 campaign mark an important step toward creating a better community, it also marks the 20th anniversary of United Way in the Valley, Rogge said.

For more information about United Way of Mat-Su, call 373-5807 or visit www.unitedwaymatsu.org.

Contact Chris Gillow at 352-2284 or chris.gillow@frontiersman.com.