United Way gets an A

By Glenn Dromgoole / Abilene Reporter-News

Give the United Way of Abilene an A. In fact, give most United Ways an A.

The American Institute of Philanthropy released ratings which showed how much different charities spend on fund-raising. Charities were graded from A to F.

Some groups, the AIP reported, spend more to raise the funds than they do on the programs the funds are intended to support.

Not so with the United Way of Abilene - or other United Ways.

Of every dollar given to United Way here, 88 percent goes straight to the charities being helped. In the AIP grading system, that would be a solid A.

That's why United Way campaigns were established in the first place - to consolidate and streamline the fund-raising process. If every agency conducted its own fund-raising campaign, we would be constantly bombarded by solicitations and the percentage going to fund-raising would be much greater.

United Ways are efficient and have credibility. They develop processes to make sure the funds are being used effectively so the community can be assured that the money given will be put to good use.

The 1998 United Way campaign is getting under way in Abilene. Some businesses and employee groups have already conducted their drives. Others will be starting soon. The campaign goal this year is $2 million.

United Way funds help support 44 different programs in the areas of child care, family violence, youth, drug and alcohol abuse, health and basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing for needy people.

If you want to stretch your charitable dollar to the maximum, consider investing in a top-rated campaign - the United Way.

Last game?

The Abilene Prairie Dogs played their last game of the season last night. The last home game was Tuesday night, and a good crowd turned out.

The question in a lot of our minds was whether this was the last time we would see professional baseball in Abilene this season or the last time ever.

In their three-year existence, the Prairie Dogs haven't been the draw that they hoped for, and that a lot of Abilene baseball fans thought they would be.

I don't know how to explain it. The games are fun, they are good family entertainment, and the prices are reasonable, yet the team struggled to draw 1,000 fans most nights.

Minor league baseball's popularity has soared in recent years, and Abilene seemed excited about getting pro baseball back in town. But the crowds haven't materialized except for special occasions like the fireworks show, the Chicken and major giveaways.

I hope we still have a team next season. At the game the other night, speculation was that it's probably a fifty-fifty chance.

Just the fax, ma'am

We have a new fax number for the newsroom. It is 670-5242.

Can you spell that?

With a name like Dromgoole, I am frequently asked to spell my name over the telephone.

The other day I called an office to leave a message. I gave my name to the person answering the phone.

"Can you spell that?" she asked.

"Yes," I wanted to say, "can you?"

Glenn Dromgoole can be reached by e-mail at glennd@abinews.com