ESCANABA — The United Way of Delta County (UWDC) had a tough year meeting its workplace campaign goal that was set for 2018. At this time, the campaign has brought in $162,350, short by just over $30,000, compared to 2017. There are still a few workplace campaigns that have yet to be turned in and counted.

“We are quite short of the $193,000, we reached last year,” said UWDC Executive Director Julie Mallard. “So if anyone out there hasn’t given yet, there’s still time.”

The UWDC is wrapping up the workplace campaign with a “soft close” at the end of January. The board will then prepare the budget for 2019 before going through the grant process that will come at the end of February.

“I usually continue to accept donations for the current campaign right up until we give the money away,” said Mallard.

The United Way workplace campaign is the biggest fundraiser the UWDC relies on each year. The campaign unifies employees of a company and gives them the opportunity to give to an organization that puts that money back into their community, which in turn can strengthen connections between employees and their community.

“While special events are valuable and give us an opportunity to shine a light on United Way and our work, the annual campaign is where we get the vast majority of our funding and where we place most of our efforts,” said Mallard.

When the campaign money falls short, the UWDC addresses it with other fundraisers that run throughout the year. The biggest fundraiser the UWDC benefits from is UPtoberfest, which the Bay de Noc Brewers organize in October.

Mallard has other activities planned, but nothing is set in stone for the year at this time.

“I’m trying to reach the tattoo artists who have done a Tiny Tats event the last couple of years, usually in March,” said Mallard. “The proceeds are then donated to the United Way.”

Mallard is hoping to hold a Sunday, Funday event with Northern Sun Winery in the summer.

Until this year, UWDC has held the Soup’r Chili Challenge for 23 years to kick off its campaign.

“I gave it up last year and then the Jaycees asked if they could take it on,” Mallard said. “I have shared all my files and information with them on how we ran it, and they plan to give us a donation from the proceeds this year.”

Anyone can hold a fundraiser that benefits the UWDC or donate individually. The money raised in Delta County stays in Delta County to support people and services.