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Coal industry’s downturn impacts United Way donation drive

3 min read
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WAYNESBURG – The downturn in the coal industry delivered a one-two punch to Greene County’s economy and the nonprofits that rely on local workers to make annual donations.

One organization that already felt the pain is Greene County United Way, which the group’s leader said won’t come close to this year’s annual fundraising goal it slashed in an attempt to meet lowered expectations.

“It’s the coal industry, period,” Greene County United Way Director Barbara Wise said of the lower fundraising projections. “That’s what we’re made of, both Greene County and our economy.”

The closing of Alpha Energy’s Emerald Mine in November and an overall slowdown from other mines in the county resulted in a large decline in donations. Workers at Emerald would typically donate about $38,000 a year, Wise previously said.

The United Way’s local chapter raised nearly $142,000 for this year, mostly through annual donations made through payroll deductions in January. Wise said that is by far the organization’s biggest fundraiser, meaning it could fall well short of its goal of $200,000.

Last year, the organization just made its $250,000 fundraising goal with the help of unexpected last-minute donations, including a one-time $33,000 gift from Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation in May.

Wise said the group has a few more fundraising events, including the Greene Cuisine dinner in April, a trip to New York City in June and the annual charity golf outing in September, but those three won’t make enough money to reach the goal. Even though 2016 is just beginning, the donation season is nearing its end because of the hefty amount that comes from the payroll deductions.

“(The annual drive) is done right before our grant process. That’s when we know how much money,” Wise said.

The donations drought will have the biggest effect on that grant process, which supplies 17 agencies in Greene County with a pool of money that is typically around $60,000. The rest of the donations pay for administrative costs or are sent to outside agencies that people choose when making their payroll deduction.

Wise expects to have less money to offer those local agencies unless more donations stream in quickly.

“I just feel like I’m beating a dead horse,” Wise said of struggling to find new donors.

Anyone who would like to make a donation can send checks payable to Greene County United Way at its office located at 748 E. High St. in Waynesburg. They can also contact the office at 724-852-1009 for more information.

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