United Way sets lower goal for annual campaign

More people need help, fewer can give, officials say

SHABINA S. KHATRI, FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER, writes:

Only the earliest risers caught a glimpse of the flame lit Friday morning at the United Way's 54-foot torch at Jefferson and Woodward in Detroit. That's because keeping the torch lit for more than a couple hours seemed like a needless expense.

The irony did not escape leaders of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, which kicked off its 58th annual Torch Drive fund-raising campaign with a $61-million goal -- $5.5 million less than last year's goal.

Chief Executive Officer Mike Brennan said the group understood that as need increases, fewer people can afford to give.

"We have an unprecedented economic contraction that's taking place," he said, adding that since 2000 metro Detroit has lost 27% of its manufacturing jobs. "When you have those types of sustained losses over time, it's going to affect the private contributions to United Way."

But, he said, the charity remains optimistic about reaching its goal by Nov. 15.

Across the street from Hart Plaza, where the ceremony took place, a man was slumped in a wheelchair, an empty cup in his hands. Another man dressed in ragged clothing walked wearily down Jefferson, head lowered. Both emanated a desperation that leaders say has ceased to evoke the empathy of those in better straits.

As the number of people in similar situations has increased, so has the number of people who are seeking help for the first time.

Cynthia Miller, a 51-year-old Detroit resident, presented her story Friday.

She said that last year United Way built a wheelchair ramp for her 28-year-old son Phillip, who suffered severe brain damage after a 2003 car crash.

"Understand that in one moment, adversity can enter your life," said Miller, who took an early retirement from her job as a postal worker to care for her son. "Even though you might have not had your own adversity, consider others that are going through things that are no fault of their own -- and give."

Now, Miller works part-time at the United Way's 211 information referral center, which took 9,500 calls last month from people seeking help. That was a 50% increase over July and an all-time high in requests for help from the line, which debuted in southeastern Michigan in December, Brennan said.

Contact SHABINA S. KHATRI at 586-469-8087 or skhatri@freepress.com.