Faced with decreased giving and fewer volunteers, the Kalona United Fund’s 1999 drive may be its last, ending more than a quarter century of service.

The drive is set for November 1-5 in the Kalona area.

“We have had problems finding people to serve on the executive committee,” explained United Fund President Kathy Jepson, explaining this is the group that plans the annual solicitation. Additionally, there have been problems finding solicitors and that, coupled with diminished giving, “has made us consider that this may be the United Fund’s last year.”

Two years ago, in a move to deal with not being able to meet a $12,000 goal, the United Fund evaluated its policies and “changed to giving funds first to local organizations, then to county ones. That way, funds would stay local.”

Agencies then made annual applications to the Fund, and this year there are 12 earmarked for assistance: Kalona Elementary School PTA, Kalona First Responders, Kalona Food Pantry, Kalona Public Library, Pleasantview Home, Washington County Developmental Center, Washington County Hospice, Washington County Humane Society, Washington County Mini Bus, Kalona Girl Scouts, Washington County Red Cross and Mid-Prairie Junior Boosters (Middle School).

Application deadline was June 1, noted Jepson.

Although the United Fund has changed its approach, goal for the funds for 2000 is only $11,000.

Funds raised for 1999 were $10,308. The 1998 and 1997 funds were $11,218 and $11,535 and for 1996 and 1995, it was $10,677 and $10,589. Only for the 1994 year (funds raised in 1993) did the United Fund not only reach goal, but exceeded it with $12,153.

Many donations have been $2 to

$5 total, to be divided among the agencies.

“When you started allocating, it often becomes very small amounts to some of these groups,” noted board member Charles (Chuck) Gustafson.

Jepson said that the board decided “it would do one more drive,” then, depending on the results, makes its decision if the Kalona Untied Fund will continue.

She noted that part of the problem may be that the Untied Fund no longer is the single all-encompassing community charity.

“There are other fund drives,.” she said, noting that all of them “are for very worthwhile projects.”

She also said that people who have donations arranged through work “can designate the Kalona United Fund.”

Some confusion has resulted, of course, with the United Way, which is not the same agency.

If the Kalona United Fund ends, then what?

The alternate would simply be the Washington County United Way, “but if you want to keep local organizations and keep the money local, this (the Kalona United Fund) is the best way,” she said.

Membership is also a problem since “we have only six active members,” on a roster of 12.

“We need more people.”

Rural

This year, for the first time, the drive will undertaken rural solicitation by providing a donation form via the Kalona News.

“Because it will go to all subscribers, people have the option of simply mailing in the form with a donation,” said Jepson. Locally, there also will be solicitors.

Donations may be mailed to either bank or to the Kalona United Fund, P. O. Box 222, Kalona, Iowa 52247.

There also will be collection canisters placed in the Freedom security Bank and Hills Bank Kalona.