Great news for United Way and Wichita

Congratulations to campaign chairman Steve Martens and the United Way of the Plains for exceeding the $15 million fundraising goal this year by about $300,000. The goal was the same as in 2000, the last time the organization hit its desired mark. Thanks to the generosity of so many businesses and individuals this year, this vital life force for the region will be able to help 90 organizations help their clients and causes.
Even better, United Way’s success is the latest welcome indicator of revived vigor in the local economy. As Pat Hanrahan, president of United Way of the Plains, said: “When the economy is strong, the United Way is strong, and the community benefits.”
Posted by Rhonda Holman

3 Comments

  1. JM
    Posted November 12, 2006 at 6:15 am | Permalink

    That’s peculiar…according to the Dems the economy is in the tank.

  2. Jim G.
    Posted November 12, 2006 at 8:14 am | Permalink

    Fuzzy Math -The UW lowered their goal from 16M to 15M right before the start of this year’s campaign.It was a positive publicity move. Rhonda’s remarks are proof that by adjusting numbers the UW gets positive attention.What’s wrong with that? Not a lot. It is a very common business practice to adjust goals, but in this case I believe it has more to do with sending a positive message, and probably helping Mr. Hanrahan save face by showing the Board of Directors that they met their goal. It is a commonly accepted realization that Mr. Hanrahan is a cut-throat autocrat. The non-profit community knows this. Everyone stays hush because this guy has his fingers on the money.So, Congrats to the UW, all the employees who work there deserve to be heard. For an organization that prides itself on helping others, internally it is a nightmare working under the Hanrahan admin. He is a bully, one dimensional, and the commnunity would be amazed to know what a oppressive person he is.

  3. Vaughn Tolle
    Posted November 13, 2006 at 4:49 pm | Permalink

    Yes, the UW exceeded its goal, which in terms of absolute dollars, was identical to the year 2000. With inflation factored in, fewer real dollars were raised.

    Revising goals is indeed common in business; however, I agree with Jim G. that the reason for this revision was more related to public relations than need.