The Capital Area United Way announced this week $17,188.26 was raised from their local 9/11 Response Fund and will be given to the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund in New York.
After the terrorist attacks in New York on Sept. 11, the Capital Area United Way wanted to help donate to a fund separate from the September 11 Fund.
“It was our own local fund for donors who wanted to contribute something to the effort by contributing to the United Way,” said Capital Area United Way spokeswoman Michelle Larsen.
The Capital Area United Way developed their own fund in hopes donors would feel more confident about giving.
“We wanted to provide that opportunity without competing with the Red Cross,” she said. “It’s a convenience for our donors.”
John Cauley, executive director of the Mid-Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross, 1800 E. Grand River Ave. in Lansing, said the Red Cross has donated more than $100 million to families and victims of the attacks and extended 100 million emergency workers and volunteers to New York.
“I’m always pretty happy when anyone makes a donation to the American Red Cross,” he said. “But we are trying to begin reminding people that we do have to begin focusing on the local community to make sure it’s strong. We’re encouraging people to be very supportive of the local campaign.”
Chris Holman, publisher of the Greater Lansing Business Monthly and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Capital Area United Way, said the group was happy about the amount of money raised.
“It was a pretty good response from a community who is always generous and in this point in time is being asked to be more generous,” he said. “We were happy. It shows you can still go to Lansing in a time of need and they’ll ante up.”
Now that money has been raised for the national organizations, the organization is now trying to focus on local fund-raising.
The annual 2001 Campaign raised more than $6.9 million and aims to raise even more this year.
Holman said he thinks the annual campaign will be a success.
“The last three to four years, we’ve set new records every year,” he said. “It’s the drive that funds our giving. It’s the United Way’s purpose for being here.”
Money donated is given to a variety of different organizations throughout the Lansing area.
“We redistribute to those organizations that need them,” Holman said. “The money is huge and distributing properly is equally huge.”
