RAPID CITY, S.D. – With a little under 2 weeks remaining in the campaign season, United Way of the Black Hills pushes towards 88% of their total 2019-2020 fundraising campaign of $2.2 million to fund 50 non-profit organizations in the Black Hills.
50 organizations rely on United Way funds to continue to provide quality services throughout the Black Hills area including: Rapid City, Sturgis, Northern Hills (Includes: Belle Fourche, Deadwood, Lead and Spearfish) and the Southern Hills (Includes: Custer, Edgemont, Hill City, Hot Springs and Keystone.) A list of United Way of the Black Hills partner agencies can be viewed here: https://www.unitedwayblackhills.org/uwbh-partner-agencies
One of the many programs that benefit from United Way of the Black Hills funding is the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. This program is managed by United Way of the Black Hills to allow children ages 0-5 to receive an age appropriate book mailed to their home once a month. In 2018-2019, approximately 5,772 children were enrolled and received a book every month.
“I love it. My first daughter is old enough that she doesn’t get them anymore, but my youngest has a collection of about 8 books now. I look forward to seeing what new book arrives each month and knowing that I can share that excitement with my kids when we sit down at night to read and make that experience fun and positive,” says Leigha, a mother who’s child is a recipient of the book program.
Each region establishes their own campaign goal. The goals by region and total raised by % is indicated in the table below:
Region |
Region Goal for 2019-2020 |
Total raised by % |
Rapid City |
$1,878,000 |
88% |
Sturgis |
$95,000 |
91% |
Northern Hills |
$140,000 |
89% |
Southern Hills |
$87,000 |
91% |
Donations stay in the communities where they are raised. 100% of what we raise stays in the Black Hills. Last year donations impacted over 134,000 people in the Black Hills. The campaign fundraiser ends Dec. 31, 2019.