A critical time is at hand. Kalona is about to lose a very valuable resource. The community’s response to this year’s campaign will determine the future of the Kalona United Fund. The Kalona United Fund has been in existence for over twenty years. It was organized by Kalona citizens as a fund-raising body that collects money and disburses it to charities and service organizations during a once-a-year campaign. The United Fund Board of Directors is faced with an overwhelming challenge. As recently as three years ago, 15 members served on the board. This year there are only seven active members (Pat Allen, Wanda Beachy, Peggy Duwa, Chuck Gustafson, Kathy Jepson, Lori Minor, and Vicki Ropp). When this year’s terms are over, only three active members are scheduled to continue on the board. As directors have retired from the board in the last two years, they have not been able to find citizens willing to take their place. While a few more directors are on the present roster, they do not attend meetings or help. Many Kalona residents have served on United Fund over the years, but finding new members is more difficult. It is simply not possible for such a small number of volunteers to conduct an area-wide campaign…

By Kathy Jepson

A critical time is at hand. Kalona is about to lose a very valuable resource. The community’s response to this year’s campaign will determine the future of the Kalona United Fund. The Kalona United Fund has been in existence for over twenty years. It was organized by Kalona citizens as a fund-raising body that collects money and disburses it to charities and service organizations during a once-a-year campaign. The United Fund Board of Directors is faced with an overwhelming challenge. As recently as three years ago, 15 members served on the board. This year there are only seven active members (Pat Allen, Wanda Beachy, Peggy Duwa, Chuck Gustafson, Kathy Jepson, Lori Minor, and Vicki Ropp). When this year’s terms are over, only three active members are scheduled to continue on the board. As directors have retired from the board in the last two years, they have not been able to find citizens willing to take their place. While a few more directors are on the present roster, they do not attend meetings or help. Many Kalona residents have served on United Fund over the years, but finding new members is more difficult. It is simply not possible for such a small number of volunteers to conduct an area-wide campaign.

Over the years, money raised through United Fund was distributed to nearly every organization that requested help. However, the level of financial giving by Kalona residents and businesses has alternated between dropping or hovering near the same amount for the past five years, while requests for money increased. To cope with this situation, the directors have revised the standards of dispersing money. Any organization requesting funds must complete an application and have it returned to United Fund by June 1 of each year. Application forms are available at the Kalona Public Library. The United Fund previously gave money to several medical charities such as cancer, heart, diabetes, etc. and that money was sent to distant locations in Iowa or out of state. With less money and more requests, the directors voted to disperse money to Kalona charitable or service organizations first and county organizations second. It was determined that money dispersed locally had a greater positive impact in helping area residents than sending it to distant locations.

In addition to a lack of directors and diminishing donations, the United Fund is faced with fewer and fewer people willing to solicit donations door to door. One recent evening, the directors and three generous volunteers (Dean Miller, representing Rotary, and Phil and Dorothy Marner, representing Optimists) phoned 120 area residents asking them to collect money for United Fund. Many people simply turned us down. In some cases, we discovered that people who had been helping for years were in their 80’s or older, yet younger generations refused to take on this simple task that usually doesn’t take more than an hour or two. In some cases, a few people generously agreed to handle two or three routes. What happens when no one will collect in a neighborhood? A director takes on an extra route or it is omitted. What has happened to the supportive attitude for the United Fund? Many people have told us they’re too busy. Also, in a self-sufficient community like Kalona, most people do not like to ask others for money, even for such a community-wide cause. But if United Fund is to continue, we will need a better effort among residents.

What about the diminishing donations? It is amazing to work with Kalona United Fund and realize the level of giving. Twelve organizations are currently designated to receive funds (listed in the October 21, 1999 Kalona News). Yet some people continue to give nothing while others are quite generous. Unfortunately, the generous donors do not outnumber the others. Kalona Fund and United Way are not the same. But people giving money to United Way at their place of employment can designate Kalona United Fund as the recipient. We realize many people are on limited incomes, and many people are asked repeatedly to support area schools, churches, and service groups. But our dilemma continues.

This year, for the first time, an effort is being made to collect donations from rural residents who also benefit from many of these organizations. Donation cards have been inserted in the Kalona News. These can be returned to the address listed on the card or deposited at Freedom Security Bank or Hills Bank Kalona.

So, what will happen to the Kalona United Fund? The directors agreed to give a very determined effort to the United Fund for one more year. We are seeking eleven additional directors: eight are needed immediately and three more will be needed to replace the outgoing directors. They can be from Kalona or the surrounding rural area. Contact any Director to volunteer. Meetings are held only four to six times a year. We are asking everyone to increase their level of giving as much as possible. Donations are tax deductible. If we are not successful in improving our situation this year, we will have no choice but to let our nonprofit corporation be dissolved by the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office.

On behalf of the Kalona United Fund, I seek your help and sincerely thank you for your support.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Jepson, President

Kalona United Fund