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United Way 2013 Campaign Total

Thanks to the generosity of more than 20,000 people, the 2013 campaign of the Quad Cities United Way has ended successfully. Today campaign leaders announced the final total of more than 8.4 million dollars.

Co-chair John Riches says the total is very close to the previous year's, but will still help a lot of people. "Thousands of people giving back and thousands of lives being changed every day - that's the powerful example of what it means to live united. In fact, for every dollar donated to the United Way, more than $2.60 is returned to the Quad Cities."

Each year, the United Way raises money with special events and workplace campaigns.

One of the beneficiaries is Hand-in-Hand, in Bettendorf. CEO Mark Smith says each year his agency helps 700 children and young adults, and their families. "We serve children with disabilities, meaning individuals with Downs Syndrome, autism, and physical disabilities. But we also support those families. So if mom or dad calls and says "I need to know about this service," that's a unit of service for us. Or they come to a family banquet, we help them there too."

Hand in Hand sponsors after school programs, art programs, summer camps, and volunteer programs. The United Way provides about 10 per cent of his budget, but Smith says that's vital because it helps the agency support more clients and more programs.

Community