by Robert Marin (WICHITA, Kan.)
The United Way of the Plains comes short of its goal for its fall fundraising drive.
The United Way raised $15.8 million dollars in pledges this year, short of its goal of $16.4 million. Still, officials say they are excited by how much was raised amid the bad economy.
Officials with the United Way say this year's campaign brought in 73 new businesses which reached more than 4,700 employees. It was part of a change in strategy this year to deal with the near 10% unemployment rate and decline in the aviation industry.
Local aviation manufacturers were still among the top givers for the United Way this year. Here is the list of top gifts reported to the United Way:
- Bank of America raised $200,000
- Boeing Integrated Defense Systems employees raised $600,000
- Bombardier Learjet raised $300,000 Cargill Meat Solutions raised $642,592
- Cessna Aircraft Company raised $1,170,900
- City of Wichita raised $182,111
- Hawker Beechcraft Corporation raised $1,450,000
- INTRUST Bank raised $394,207
- Koch Industries, Incorporated raised $222,565
- QuikTrip Corporation - Wichita Division raised $224,219
- Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. raised $2,200,000
- USD 259 Wichita Public Schools raised $254,245
- Via Christi Health Systems, Incorporated raised $282,000
- Westar Energy raised $218,235
If you would still like to donate to the United Way, find out how by going to their website.
