Official: Help us to meet our goal

More older people and young adults need help, a crisis center's director says.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- The 2005 Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way campaign has raised $1,420,000 of its $3 million goal, leaving it about $400,000 short of where it was a year ago at this time.
"We are very concerned," said Robert Shroder, campaign chairman. "We need the support of the entire community to help us reach our goal."
Shroder, president and chief executive officer of Humility of Mary Health Partners, made the comments at a press conference Monday at Sweeney Chevrolet.
"This year's shortfall can be attributed to a number of causes, including economic uncertainty, downsizing of employees and proposed wage reductions, and the effects of local giving to hurricane relief efforts, which is estimated at nearly $500,000," said Donald Cagigas, president and chief executive officer of Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way.
"Now, we just hope they don't forget their friends and neighbors that need help at home. We hope that people who have given in the past will continue to support the United Way," Cagigas added.
"Dollars raised during the annual campaign stay in our community, and United Way donors help to impact lives in our community on a daily basis," Shroder said.
The campaign provides funding for more than 70 programs of 29 United Way-affiliated agencies that help one out of every four people in the Mahoning Valley, or about 80,000 people in 2004, Shroder said.
Representatives from several United Way agencies spoke about the needs that the United Way campaign helps them meet.
Disturbing demographics
Help Hotline receives about 10,000 calls a month, a growing number from elderly and young working adults, said Duane Piccirilli, executive director.
"There are people calling for help now that never had to call before," he said. "There are an astonishing number of women and children homeless and living in cars."
The United Methodist Community Center on Youngstown's East Side serves 250 students in its after-school program, said its executive director, Millicent Counts.
Among the programs operated by the Family Service Agency are Daybreak, a center for juvenile runaways; the Guardianship program for the elderly; and Family Financial Education Services for young families, said Dave Arnold, FSA executive director.
Greater need now
Malinda Gavins, program director for Sojourner House, a shelter for women and children, said the average stay at the house has increased from two weeks to two or three months.
"There are people who are hungry, homeless and depressed. When they have no place left to turn, they turn to United Way agencies," said Maj. James Foley, area coordinator for the Salvation Army.
A representative of the General Motors Lordstown Assembly Complex reported that employees have donated nearly $250,000 to the 2005 campaign, and with the GM corporate gift of $38,500, the total giving from the complex is about $285,000.
The perception that United Way agencies only help certain segments of the population is untrue. United Way agencies provide help in all communities, Cagigas said.
"Clearly, the needs are great and unfortunately, during difficult times, the demand for the services provided by our agencies is even greater," Cagigas said. "The best way to help the most people and meet the widest range of community needs is through a gift to our United Way."
Doug Sweeney, president of Sweeney Chevrolet and United Way campaign co-chairman, has donated a two-year lease on a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt for the second annual United Way/Chevy Cobalt Driveaway. "We hope this will motivate people to give to the campaign," he said.
Any donor who gives a minimum of $2 a week, or a total annual gift of $104, is eligible to win the lease. Details of the drawing are available by calling the office at (330) 746-8494.
Each donor who qualifies for the Chevy Cobalt Driveaway also will receive a Community Benefits Coupon Book that includes discount offers from 48 local businesses.
alcorn@vindy.com