Journal-News.com

HAMILTON — The Butler County United Way is trying to raise $300,000 to help defray potential funding cuts to partner agencies.

The United Way is calling for help after incurring a $500,000 debt due in part to a reduction in revenue and campaign donation shortfalls for the last two years.

To cut operating costs, officials announced this week plans to eliminate two key positions, freeze salaries and make changes to its employee health insurance policy, which is expected to save about $190,000.

Positions eliminated include: Chief Operating Officer Theressa Griggs, who had been with the county United Way for eight years; and Communication Specialist Chelsea Kaiser, who plans to vacate her position in January when she leaves for Atlanta.

Director Maureen Noe said officials need to seek alternative revenue sources and make significant internal changes to better serve the nearly 30 area nonprofit agencies that rely on United Way funds.

"Many United Ways nationwide are struggling and are trying to re-evaluate their true mission and how they can best carry out that mission and make sure they are as relevant as possible," Noe said.

The reorganization comes two weeks after the United Way announced it raised $2.1 million for its 2008 annual campaign. Officials had hoped to raise more than $2.6 million.

Noe said officials need to raise additional funds by the end of February to prevent allocation cuts to area agencies.

"Every dollar given to the United Way that we donate (to our partner agencies) means that children have a safe after-school program to learn in, senior citizens have the transportation they need ... It means people who have mental health problems who don't have health insurance can get the counseling they need."