United Way of Southwest Colorado’s board of directors and staff are keeping busy with several projects of interest to our community. Here are some updates about our work and a couple of things we need you to help us accomplish.
United Way is proud to announce that for the first time since 2007, we beat our fundraising goal. A total of $728,000 was pledged, surpassing the goal of $711,000. United Way’s board and staff thank the communities of Southwest Colorado for their trust and support. As the funds are collected, United Way will forward them to our partner agencies or to the organization the donor selected.
We already are starting to look ahead to the next fundraising drive. Several events are on the calendar.
First, United Way and Durango High Noon Rotary are hosting our 16th annual charity golf tournament. This longstanding fundraiser will be held July 15 at Dalton Ranch. Golfers and sponsors are being recruited.
The 13th annual San Juan Brewfest will be held Aug. 27 in downtown Durango. Sponsored again by Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort and planned by CookManFood.com, this event will be bigger and better than ever. Check out United Way’s Facebook page for details at www.facebook.com/UnitedWayOf SouthwestColorado.
Our best event every year is the Radiothon. This year marks the 15th year of our partnership with Four Corners Broadcasting on this radio auction. Since its inception, the event has raised almost half a million dollars for United Way. The 2011 Radiothon will be held Sept. 9. Our new website, being built by J3 Media, will be up in the next couple of months at www.uwradiothon.org.
United Way also is working to determine which local organizations will receive investments from the upcoming fundraising drive. Volunteers are needed to help with this process. You can learn about the issues that bubble beneath the surface in our community and the organizations that are solving these problems.
Have you procrastinated on filing your taxes like me? At the very end of the Colorado tax form, all tax filers have the option of donating to charities that work around the state on various issues. Thirty years ago, Colorado became the first state in the United States to allow taxpayers to give a volunteer contribution to a program in the state. Today, tax filers have 15 options to consider.
All funds donated stay in our state and support the work of the organizations listed on the form. Visit www.checkoffcolorado.com to learn about all the options you can support. United Way encourages tax filers to consider supporting the 2-1-1 Colorado Fund as donations to it will support efforts to bring the free information and referral service to Southwest Colorado.
To learn more about the golf event, to donate using our website or to learn more about United Way, call Tim at 247-9444 or email timw@unitedway-swco.org.
Your United Way works year round to help make our community the best it can be.
Tim Walsworth is president and CEO for United Way and a member of the Durango High Noon Rotary Club.
