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Muranskys Set High Goals for United Way Campaign
BOARDMAN, Ohio -- The strong showing of volunteers for the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley "Day of Caring" this morning sends a signal to the rest of the community that this is a cause worth supporting, say the co-chairmen of this year's United Way campaign.
"There are a huge number of volunteers that are going to do work on the north side of Youngstown," said Chris Muransky, co-chairwoman of the United Way's campaign along with her husband, businessman Ed Muransky. "That will bring a lot of focus to the community on what we're trying to accomplish and, of course, that's to raise as much money as we can and highlight the programs that make a difference in our community."
The Muranskys say their goal is to help raise $2.7 million for the United Way in 2014. Earlier this year, the effort received a boost through a fundraiser hosted by teh Muranskys at The Lake Club that featured golfing greats Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam. That event raised $250,000.
"It's a sizeable amount of money, especially in a community like ours," which has its share of economic challenges, she said.
This year United Way is assuming a more targeted approach toward funding early education programs, Chris Muransky, also a United Way board member, reported. Initiatives such as the Imagination Library, which provides books for children up to five years of age, Success By Six, an effort to prepare children for kindergarten, and Backpacks for Kids, which provides school supplies for those in need, have proven very successful, she said.
Moreover, these programs show potential donors that their money is going to a worthy cause that produces results, Ed Muransky said. "At the end of the day, people in Youngstown, when they look to donate their money, want to make sure it's going to a place where it's being looked after,” he said, “to be sure that their money is making a difference in the community. United Way does all of this."
Thus far, Chris Muransky observed, the response has been generous at all levels, from corporations to individual donations. "And, a lot of volunteerism,” she added. “It's really rewarding for Ed and I to see that happening."
The campaign drive kicks off today with the United Way's "Day of Caring," when volunteers will fan out across the city, many of them working on projects on the north side of Youngstown.
"We're expecting our largest turnout ever," said Bob Hannon, president and CEO of the Youngstown chapter of United Way.
Hannon said 550 volunteers representing area businesses should participate today, 275 of them focusing their efforts on the North Side.
The United Way has partnered with the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. and Lowe's to address blighted areas in the Wick Park district, Hannon said. "We're also part of a group putting in a special needs playground that will take three days," he said.
Volunteers will also work with partners such as Potential Development and the YWCA on other projects.
Last year, the number of volunteers working on the North Side was smaller, but their work produced significant results. "We try to take it to a different level and step it up," he remarked.
Hannon said it's challenging to engage new companies for support, but does see significant growth and progress within the businesses and organizations that do participate.
"School teachers, nurses, union workers -- we're getting more of those," he said. "We've been able to build on that. That's been our biggest improvement. We've been able to get more people giving $100 a year, $200 a year."
Those in the education community have increased their contributions, largely because of the United Way's dedication to early education programs. "They feel like they're a partner,” Hannon said. “I've had more teachers tell me it's more like an investment, not a donation."
The Muranskys want to ensure that every benefactor and volunteer stay comfortable, energized and excited over this year's initiatives. While it's still difficult to raise money for these causes, they said, the atmosphere is improving.
"It's tough. It's not the greatest environment around here but it's getting better," Ed Muransky said. "We're born and bred in Youngstown and you can feel it turning. We're proud to be part of that."
Pictured: Chris and Ed Muransky
Copyright 2014 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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