Spokane County United Way sees donation uptick

Spokane County United Way raised 3.4 percent more in donations in 2011 than it did in 2010, resulting in a total of $4.8 million.

“The fact that this community has stepped up and increased its giving to 3.4 percent over the year before says a lot about, from my vantage point, who we are and what we see as being important,” said Tim Henkel, Spokane County United Way CEO.

At its celebration of the donations on Dec. 14, Spokane County United Way recognized the contributions of 21 local businesses and 27 individuals.

Janice Marich, a Spokane County United Way spokeswoman, said the increased donations are reflective of the additional commitment of the business community.

“(Businesses) understand at a personal level but also at a business level what’s healthy to the economic health of our community,” Marich said.

For organizations like Center Pointe, support from Spokane County United Way is invaluable. President Richard “Spike” Cunningham said 20 percent of Center Pointe’s budget comes from the Spokane County United Way.

“Without that donation, we would be very seriously challenged to fill our mission,” Cunningham said.

The money will be invested in a variety of community organizations that support United Way’s overarching goals of supporting education, income and health.

“They’re building blocks of what people need to have a successful lifelong term,” Henkel said.