By Ron Ulmer

I know that it is the giving season because each day my mail box is full of requests to give to the ever growing number of charities.  It seems that every human need and illness has at least one or more charities requesting money or donations in kind.

Sadly, McLean County United Wayhas seen its contributions dip precipitously because of the proliferation of charities attempting to grab a share of this community’s generous giving as well as societal changes.  Many large manufacturing companies and their employees that were strong supporters of the UW are gone, such as, Eureka Williams, GE, and Mitsubishi.Additionally, the number of people employed in McLean County continues to decline even though the population is growing, the baby boomers are retiring, the decline in median income and the decline in church attendance, as church goers donate more on average than non-church goers.  Another factor is the ever growing tax burden by all levels of government, sales tax, property tax and the affordable care act premiums.

What can the community do?  Here are a few suggestions for the community and the UW to stop this decline and turn it around.  UW needs to stay connected with the people who retire or lose their job at a large employer by maintaining an up to date contributors’ address list.  The UW, and other local charities needs to connect with small businesses, the self-employed, and new members of the community.  UW and other local charities need to tout the positive impact to the community members served and that local donations are wisely spent as well as the financial benefit to the local community as these dollars circulate through the local economy.

To bring good cheer to the community during the holiday season I urge you to join me support local charities and give a smile to every person you meet during the holidays and the rest of the year!

Ron Ulmer is an economist, have taught economics/finance at 3 central Illinois universities and employed by Illinois Power as a Senior Rate Analyst, supervisor of economic research, Market Program Manager. Now retired, Current member Normal Kiwanis, past 25 year member Optimist International Service Club, Property owner and manager in Normal for 37 years ongoing.   

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