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Aloha United Way, Hawaii's largest nonprofit organization, met its campaign goal this year, increasing estimated contributions by $100,000 over last year. Aloha United Way
meets fund-raising
goal for yearFederal funds marked for
emergency food, shelterBy Janine Tully
Star-BulletinAUW President Irv Lauber attributed the successful campaign this year to good leadership, good teamwork and a caring community. "A better economy also made people be more generous," he said.
A total of $13.5 million is estimated to have been collected this year, compared to $13.4 million last year.
Lauber said the exact amount will not be known until the middle of next year when collections from mainland-based local companies are factored in.
Campaign chairman Keith Vieira called this a banner year for the annual fund-raising effort, which collects millions of dollars for more than 65 health and human services agencies in Hawaii.
The 2000 drive began July 27 with the theme of "Community Heroes."
"From this summer's kickoff when coach June Jones, Bob Nash and other UH coaches told us about what heroes are, to the Weinberg Foundation putting us over the top with their additional contributions, and the thousands of generous island residents whose efforts will touch close to a half-million people in Hawaii next year," Vierra said.
The Weinberg Foundation donated $240,000, said Lauber.
Labor unions were also key contributors for AUW this year. The AFLC-CIO is a national partner with United Way and supports AUW across the country. The union also encourages members to give and to volunteer through United Way.
Aloha United Way has been serving Hawaii for more than 80 years and traces its roots back to 1919, when the United Welfare Fund was established under the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. Through the decades, AUW has helped the community raise more than $200 million to help children, families and elderly.
Aloha United Way says $474,602 in federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds is available for distribution through agencies in Hawaii. Federal funds marked
for emergency food, shelterStar-Bulletin staff
The money is to be used in urgent situations for rent, mortgage, utility assistance and served meals, not as normal program dollars.
"The hope is to keep people from becoming homeless in order to guarantee them a place to stay for another 30 days," said David Hack, Aloha United Way assistant vice president for community building.
To receive funds, a service organization must be a private nonprofit agency with a voluntary board or a government agency. It must have an accounting system, conduct an annual audit, practice nondiscrimination and show the ability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter services in a timely manner.
Qualifying Oahu organizations may submit applications to Aloha United Way at 200 N. Vineyard Blvd., Suite 700 by Jan. 12. For more information, call 536-1951. Organizations in Hawaii and Kauai counties can call their local United Way agency for more information.
The National Board of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program allocated the Congress-appropriated funds. The Honolulu County EFSP will determine how the funds will be awarded to local service organizations.
Funds should be available in March, Hack said.