The United Way of Mower County supports more than 70 programs in the county which help the poor, the elderly, the ill, at-risk children and teens, minorities and the handicapped.

All of these programs need funding and while last year the United Way saw contributions increase 5 percent, there was a 15 percent increase in requests for support, said United Way Director Amy Baskin at a meeting of community leaders Wednesday.

Austin Mayor Bonnie Rietz shared county statistics the United Way is working to improve in the community with representatives from various businesses and organizations. Those statistics were:

– 10 percent of families in the county live in poverty and 15 percent of the children in the county live in poverty

– 33 percent of the county's population has heart disease

– 78 percent of Mower County 12th grade students in 1998 reported alcohol use

– 20 percent of the county's population is 65 years old or older

– 5 percent of the population belong to a minority group

– An unknown percentage of people in the county are mentally or physically handicapped

From those statistics and video-taped testimonies from people the United Way has assisted including an elderly man, a high school student, a handicapped woman and a victim of an abusive relationship, it was obvious to the community leaders the United Way is an important organization to many different people.

The key element to continuing the organization's ability to financially assist programs throughout the community is its funding campaign, said Campaign Chairman Bill Snyder, and leaders were encouraged to get as many donations as possible for the United Way this year. "This way, we can continue to make Mower County a great place to live," said Snyder.

Amanda L. Rohde can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at amanda.rohde@austindailyherald.com