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United Way tops $1 million but still seeks pledges By David Preszler of the Mail Tribune United Way of Jackson County's annual fund-raising campaign topped $1 million for the fourth straight year, though the agency failed to meet its goal for the first time since 1996. The campaign, which ended with a banquet Thursday night, raised $1,068,614, falling short of its goal by 12 percent, or $145,439. Last year's campaign raised $1.26 million. Dee Anne Everson, the agency's executive director, said the fund-raising drive went well, despite the shortfall. She said pledges will continue to come in; in fact, $6,800 more came in Friday. "I feel fabulous about it," she said. "It was actually very strong. We're very pleased." She said uncertainty in the area's health-care industry -- where lower reimbursement rates have hurt doctors -- took its toll on the campaign. She also pointed out that the community has seen a number of large fund-raising efforts in the past two years from other groups, including ACCESS Inc., the Ashland YMCA, the Community Health Center, Community Works, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Southern Oregon University. "This is a tremendous victory to raise over $1 million in a community that supports the operating budgets of hundreds of nonprofits on an ongoing basis," added Medford Fire Chief Dave Bierwiler, chairman of this year's campaign. Everson said the shortfall will likely reduce the allocations of United Way funds to the various agencies the group supports. "It's significant funding," she said. More than 100 people attended Thursday night's banquet. The community spirit award, given to the organization that raises the most money per capita, went to the Social Security Administration, which raised $232 per capita. Marj Jameson, director of the Rogue Valley chapter of the American Red Cross, was honored as United Way volunteer of the year. Part of this year's campaign was a joint effort, which Jameson led, to increase blood donations. The campaign also included efforts to solicit donations for local food banks. Bierwiler and Amy Belkin of InCommunication were selected to lead next year's campaign, while Rick Rankin of Asante Health System will lead the 2001 campaign. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA